What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Conduct Disorder (CD) is a more severe type of behavioral disorder than Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and is more likely to develop in kids with ADHD. According to the publication of the American Psychiatric Association that provides current diagnostic criteria for all recognized psychiatric disorders, the essential feature of Conduct Disorder is "...a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or age appropriate social norms or rules are violated." These behaviors fall into 4 main groupings: Serious violation of rules (e.g., truancy from school; running away from home; staying out at night prior to age 13) Non-aggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage (e.g., fire setting with intent to cause damage; deliberate destruction of property) Deceitfulness or theft (e.g., shoplifting; breaking into someone's house; frequent lying to obtain goods or avoid obligations) Aggressive behavior that causes or threatens t...

The first thing to keep in mind is this 10 letter word: PREVENTION. Once an ODD student has it out for you (i.e., you’re on his/her hit list), then it is nearly impossible to re-establish a positive relationship with that child. It is helpful to understand how ODD children think when trying to come up with prevention methods. How does a student with ODD think? “Because I know how much you want me to change, I will be very stubborn about changing behaviors.” “I am equal to those in authority.” “In spite of experiencing your intended punishments and/or rewards, if I change, it will be on my time and for me.” “My greatest sense of control comes from how I make others feel.” “No one has the right to tell me what to do.” “When you punish or reward me, I feel that you are trying to control or manipulate me.” “Yes, I sometimes do the wrong thing, but it is usually your fault.” Now let’s look at the prevention methods that work best with ODD students: 1. Act, don’t dis...

==> Help for Parents with Oppositional Defiant Children and Teens

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least 6 months and is not due to a mood or psychotic disorder. To fulfill the diagnosis, the person must have 4 of the following: Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adult requests Often angry or resentful Often argues with adults Often blames others for his or her mistakes or poor behavior Often deliberately annoys others Often loses temper Often spiteful or vindictive Often touchy or easily annoyed Symptoms are almost always present at home and may or may not be present in the community and at school.   Treatment & Management— Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder need to be assessed for the presence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and learning disorders, given the high co-morbidity. If A...

1. American Psychiatric Association (2000), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. 2. Angold A, Costello EJ, Erkanli A (1999), Co-morbidity. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 3. Burke JD, Loeber R, Birmaher B (2002), Oppositional defiant and conduct disorder: a review of the past 10 years, part II. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 4. Collett BR, Ohan JL, Myers KM (2003), Ten-year review of rating scales. VI: Scales assessing externalizing behaviors. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 5. Connor DF (2002), Aggression and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents: Research and Treatment. New York: The Guilford Press. 6. Loeber R, Burke JD, Lahey BB, Winters A, Zera M (2000), Oppositional defiant and conduct disorder: a review of the past 10 years, part I. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 7. Olweus D (1994), Bullying at schools: basic facts and effects of a school based intervention progr...

Some important statistics about Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Personality Disorder: 15% of oppositional defiant children develop some form of personality disorder later in life. 20% of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder have some form of mood disorder (e.g., Bipolar Disorder or anxiety). 35% of these children develop some type of affective disorder. 50-65% of Oppositional Defiant Disorder children also have ADD or ADHD. 75% of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder above the age of eight will still be defiant later in life. About 30% of Conduct Disorder kids continue with similar problems in adulthood. About 50-70% of ten-year-olds with Conduct Disorder will be abusing substances four years later. Cigarette smoking is also very high. Children with Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are at high risk for criminality and antisocial personality disorders in adulthood. Girls with Conduct Disorder more often end up having moo...

Re: What does the future hold for a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder? The short answer is this: It depends on whether or not the child gets help. It was once thought that most kids would outgrow Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) by adulthood. We now know this is not always true. While some of the symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder can go away over time, and while some kids do outgrow the disorder, many kids with Oppositional Defiant Disorder will continue to experience the consequences of this condition during their later years. For those who do not receive treatment, Oppositional Defiant Disorder can develop into Conduct Disorder, a more serious behavioral disorder. Of those with Conduct Disorder, almost 40% will develop Antisocial Personality Disorder in adulthood. If your youngster is showing signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, it is very important that you seek help from a qualified professional immediately. Without treatment, kids with Opposi...