What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

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 Atten

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

Experts agree that therapies given in a one-time, short-lived approach (e.g., boot camps, tough-love camps, scared straight programs, and brat camps) are not effective for kids and teens with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. In fact, these approaches may do more harm than good. Trying to scare or forcibly coerce kids and teens into behaving only reinforces aggressive behavior. These children may comply while under duress, but will learn from the scare tactics that were used on them – and use those same tactics on others at a later date. Kids respond best to treatment that rewards positive behavior and teaches them skills to manage negative behavior. Before you send a troubled child or teen with Oppositional Defiant Disorder to a boot camp, it's important that you understand what these boot camps are and how effective (or not) they are in transforming angry, unhappy, struggling kids. The theory behind most boot camps is that “if you scream enough at kids and discipline t

Some lucky kids will outgrow Oppositional Defiant Disorder. About 50% of kids who have this disorder as preschoolers will have no psychiatric problems at all by age 8. Follow-up studies have found that approximately 67% of kids diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder who received treatment will be symptom-free after three years. However, studies also show that approximately 30% of kids who were diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder will go on to develop Conduct Disorder. Other studies show that when the behavioral symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder begin in early life (i.e., preschool or earlier), the youngster or teen will have less chance of being symptom-free later in life. Also, the risk of developing Conduct Disorder is three times greater for kids who were initially diagnosed in preschool. In addition, preschool kids with Oppositional Defiant Disorder are more likely to have coexisting conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depressio

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for kids and teens with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The most effective treatment plans are tailored to the needs and behavioral symptoms of each youngster. Treatment decisions are typically based on a number of different things, including the youngster’s age, the severity of the behaviors, and whether the youngster has a coexisting mental health condition. The goals and circumstances of the moms and dads also are important when forming a treatment plan. In many cases, treatment may last several months or more and requires commitment and follow-through by moms and dads as well as by others involved in the youngster’s care. Treatment usually consists of a combination of: 1. Cognitive Problem-Solving Skills Training to reduce inappropriate behaviors by teaching the youngster positive ways of responding to stressful situations. Kids with Oppositional Defiant Disorder often only know of negative ways of interpreting and responding

W hat I s O ppositional D efiant D isorder.com is a resource for families and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Oppositional Defiant Disorder [ODD]. Our website provides sources of professional help, recommended reading, moderated support message boards, lists of camps and schools, links to local/national/international support groups, educational resources, conference information, and articles. We strongly believe that all children and teens faced with the challenges of ODD have the right to – and deserve – appropriate education, inclusion, support, and understanding so that they and their families may enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Personal: Mark was born in Freemont, Ohio in 1956. He graduated from Anderson High School (Anderson, IN) in 1974.  Educational: Bachelors Degree; Psychology -- Anderson University, Anderson, IN Masters Degree; Counseling Psychology -- Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT Current Employment: Madison County Community Justice Center Madison County Correctional Complex Sowers of Seeds Counseling Indiana Juvenile Justice Task Force Mark has worked in the “addictions” field since 1994 and has worked with children who are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems - and their parents - since 1988. He is a Probation Officer as well as a Family Therapist and performs home-based counseling and supervision for families experiencing difficulty with their children's emotional and behavioral problems. His primary mission is to help these families develop much needed coping skills so that they can avoid involving their children in the Juvenile Ju

Question An 8 year old boy was diagnosed with ADHD Combined Type. His mother, a licensed MFT, referred him for the evaluation. He was never referred by teachers or day care providers. They describe him as an active child, minimally disruptive, but not violent. His grades are above average. His parents are divorced with shared custody, every other week. At his mother's house, he is defiant and has violent meltdowns. His mother fears for her safety and the safety of his sister. At the father's home, he does not exhibit these extreme behaviors. There are rules and consequences for not following the rules. The mother accused the father of child abuse because he has spanked him (as a last resort). Charges were investigated and unfounded. The mother wants the boy on medication so she can handle him at her house. The father does not want to medicate him for behavior that occurs only at the mother's house. Again, he is not violent at his father's or at school. Answe

Research shows that early-intervention and school-based programs along with individual psychotherapy can help prevent Oppositional Defiant Disorder. A developmental sequence of experiences occurs in the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. This sequence may start with ineffective parenting practices, followed by difficulty with other authority figures and poor peer interactions. As these experiences continue, defiant behaviors develop into a “pattern” of behavior. Early detection and intervention into negative family and social experiences can be very helpful in disrupting the sequence of experiences leading to more defiant behaviors. Early detection and intervention with more effective communication skills, parenting skills, conflict resolution skills, and anger management skills can disrupt the pattern of negative behaviors and decrease the interference of defiant behaviors in interpersonal relationships with grown-ups and peers, and school and social adjustment.

Re: "Does Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually occur alongside other disorders?" The short answer is “yes, more often than not!” Many kids who are diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder also have other treatable mental health and learning conditions. Having more than one condition is called having a coexisting or comorbid condition. Some conditions that coexist with Oppositional Defiant Disorder are: Language disorders Anxiety disorders ADHD Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) Learning disorders Research indicates that some kids develop the behavioral symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a way to manage anxiety or uncertainty. Anxiety disorders and mood disorders are similar to Oppositional Defiant Disorder in that they are often a response to uncertainty and an unstable home and school environment. These similarities make it more likely that Oppositional Defiant Disorder and anxiety disorder and a mood disorder will occur tog

Question My son is 9 and has Aspergers, but also definitely is developing ODD in school with his teacher. I've tried desperately to talk to my son and his teacher, as well as his school Psychologist about what is triggering his behavior. My son told me he doesn't like his teacher's "loud voice" and that it scares him. Her response when I told her and the School Psychologist that was if he doesn't want to hear her loud voice, then he better do his work and stop staring into space. I told them about your site and have shared your articles with them, but they don't seem to want to try anything but fighting fire with fire, which is leading to more meltdowns and disasters! I have documented everything and written to my son's Psychiatrist who originally diagnosed him, and asked for his advice and help getting my son into a better school system. There is a special school available in my county for Aspergers and ODD/Behavioral children that wor

Re: "What are some alternative treatments for Oppositional Defiant Disorder?" The primary non-medical treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder is behavioral modification. For behavior modification to work, the program must have certain properties: 1. A few important behaviors need to be targeted. Rather than targeting "behaving better," parents need to be very specific (e.g., no hitting, no swearing, no using drugs, etc.). 2. All parties (parent, teacher, babysitter, etc.) need to be on the same page, using the exact same behavioral modification strategies. 3. Consequences and rewards need to be tailored to the individual child (one size does not fit all). 4. Rewards should not be money or things that the parent purchases (e.g., toys, games). Instead, rewards should consist of privileges the parent can grant or activities that the youngster can participate in. 5. The program should be simple and straightforward so that the ODD youngste

Re: Is medication usually recommended for Oppositional Defiant Disorder? The short answer is "no." Parent education and training is the first course of treatment for children and teens with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (i.e., the parent learns behavior modification techniques tailored to the ODD child). In the event that medication is warranted (which is usually a “last resort” intervention), several options exist:  serotonergic agents (e.g., Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft) mood stabilizing drugs (e.g., Depakote) antihypertensives (e.g., Tenex, Clonidine) Medication should only be considered: when the symptoms are very severe if non-medical interventions are not successful if medically treatable CO-morbid conditions are present (e.g., ADHD, depression, tic disorders, seizure disorders, psychosis)  ==> Help for Parents with Oppositional Defiant Children and Teens

Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually consists of the following: • Behavior modification • Family therapy and education • Group therapy and education • Individual therapy and education • Having a healthy role model to look up to • Providing a consistent daily schedule • Providing consistent rules • Providing discipline • Providing limit-setting • Providing support • Training in how to get along with others • Self-management skills • Medication (last resort) • Residential or day treatment (last resort) To make the fullest possible recovery, the ODD child or teen must: 1. Attend all therapy sessions 2. Develop a predictable, consistent, daily schedule of activity 3. Develop ways to obtain pleasure and feel good 4. Find and use ways to calm oneself 5. Find ways to limit stimulation 6. Frequently remind oneself of one's goals 7. Get involved in tasks and physical activities that provide a healthy outlet for one's energy 8. Identify what inc

Does your child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or is it just normal moodiness? Take the ODD self-test below to find out. Signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder will generally begin before your son or daughter is 8 years old. Occasionally, Oppositional Defiant Disorder can develop later, but it almost always develops before the age of 13. When Oppositional Defiant Disorder behavior develops, the signs tend to begin gradually, but then worsen over subsequent months and years.   ==> Help for Parents with Oppositional Defiant Children and Teens  Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Self-Test— My child: Is often a very negative person. Y or N Is often disobedient. Y or N Has had several suspensions and after-school detentions. Y or N Is often hostile or disrespectful toward authority figures. Y or N Uses excessive profanity. Y or N May be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Y or N Has severe temper tantrums when things don’t go his/her way. Y or N Is frequen

While there is no single test that can diagnose Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a mental health professional can determine whether a youngster or teenager has the disorder by assessing the youngster’s symptoms and behaviors and by using clinical experience to make a diagnosis. Many moms and dads first call upon the youngster’s doctor for an evaluation. This evaluation typically begins by compiling a medical history and performing a physical examination. During the evaluation, the youngster’s doctor will look for physical or other mental health issues that may cause problems with behavior. If the physician can’t find a physical cause for the symptoms, he may refer the youngster to a psychiatrist or a mental health professional who is trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses in kids and teenagers. A psychiatrist or a qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses Oppositional Defiant Disorder. A mental health professional will gather information from moms and

==> Parenting Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

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

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

Most kids argue with moms and dads and defy authority from time to time, especially when they are tired, hungry, or upset. Some of the behaviors associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder also can arise in kids who are undergoing a transition, who are under stress, or who are in the midst of a crisis. This makes the behavioral symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder sometimes difficult for moms and dads to distinguish from stress-related behaviors. Kids with Oppositional Defiant Disorder show an ongoing pattern of extreme negativity, hostility, and defiance that: • Is constant • Is disruptive to the family and the school • Is excessive compared with what is usual for the youngster’s age • Is usually directed toward an authority figure (mother or father, educators, the principal, the coach) • Lasts at least 6 months The following behavioral symptoms are associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder: • Actively refusing to comply with requests and rules

There is no clear-cut cause of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. However, most experts believe that a combination of psychological, social and biological risk factors play a role in the development of the disorder. Psychological Factors— Difficulty or inability to form social relationships or process social cues Neglectful or absent parent Poor relationship with one or more parent Social Factors— Abuse Chaotic environment Family instability (such as divorce or frequent moves) Inconsistent discipline Lack of supervision Neglect Poverty Uninvolved parents Biological Factors— Kids and teens are more susceptible to developing Oppositional Defiant Disorder if they have: A brain-chemical imbalance A mother who smoked during pregnancy A parent who has a problem with drinking or substance abuse A parent with a history of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Conduct Disorder A parent with a mood disorder (e.g., depress

Who gets Oppositional Defiant Disorder? A lot of kids! This is the most common psychiatric problem in young people. In younger kids, it is more common in males than females, but as they grow older, the rate is the same in boys and girls. There is a range of estimates for how many kids and teens have Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Evidence suggests that between 1 and 16 % of kids and teens have Oppositional Defiant Disorder. However, there is not very much information on the prevalence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in preschoolers, and estimates can’t be made. Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually appears in late preschool or early school-aged kids. Although the disorder seems to occur more often in lower socioeconomic groups, Oppositional Defiant Disorder affects families of all backgrounds. ==> Help for Parents with ODD Children and Teens