Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a psychiatric behavior disorder. It is characteristically seen in children below the age of 9 or 10 years. These behaviors cause significant difficulties with family and friends and at school or work. Emotionally draining for the parents and distressing for the child, oppositional defiant disorder can add fuel to what may already be a turbulent and stressful family life. Children who develop the more serious conduct disorders often show signs of these disorders at an earlier age. Although it is common for a very young children to snatch something they want from another child, this kind of behavior may herald a more generally aggressive behavior and be the first sign of an emerging oppositional defiant or conduct disorder if it occurs by the ages of 4 or 5 and later. However, not every oppositional defiant child develops conduct disorder, and the difficult behaviors associated with these conditions often remit. ODD is characterized by such problem behaviors as persistent fighting and arguing, being touchy or easily annoyed, and deliberately annoying or being spiteful or vindictive to other people. Children with ODD may repeatedly lose their temper, argue with adults, deliberately refuse to comply with requests or rules of adults, blame others for their own mistakes, and be repeatedly angry and resentful. Stubbornness and testing of limits are common. Social risk factors for conduct disorder include early maternal rejection, separation from parents with no adequate alternative caregiver available, early institutionalization, family neglect, abuse or violence, parents' psychiatric illness, parental marital discord, large family size, crowding,

Oppositional defiant disorder is reported to affect between 10 percent and 15 percent of children and adolescents in the general population. Oppositional Defiant Disorder caused of environment, genetics, and medical problems. Children with ODD show a pattern of stubbornness and frequently test limits, even in early childhood. In younger children, ODD is more common in boys. The techniques used by parents and authority figures on these children bring about the oppositional defiant behavior. Oppositional defiant disorder often occurs along with other behavioral or mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or depression. The symptoms of ODD may be hard to distinguish from those of other behavioral or mental health problems. Treatment of ODD may include is Parent management training (PMT) is recommended for families of children with ODD because it has been demonstrated to affect negative interactions that repeatedly occur between the children and their parents. PMT consists of procedures with which parents are trained to change their own behaviors and thereby alter their child's problem behavior in the home. Individual Psychotherapy to develop more effective anger management, Family Psychotherapy to improve communication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist problem solving and decrease negativity, and Social Skills Training to increase flexibility and improve frustration tolerance with peers.

Causes of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Common causes and risk factors of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Inherent temperament
• The family's response to the child's style
• Genetic component that when coupled with certain environmental conditions.
• Biochemical or neurological factor.

Signs and Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Common sign and symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Acting touchy and easily annoyed
• Anger and resentment.
• Spiteful or vindictive behavior
• Refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
• Deliberate annoyance of other people
• Frequent temper tantrums
• Argumentativeness with adults
• Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior

Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Common Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Stimulant medication is indicated only when oppositional defiant disorder coexists with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
• Parent management training focuses on teaching the parents more effective, specific techniques for handling the child's opposition and defiance.
• Family therapy is often focused on making changes within the family system, such as improving communication skills and family interactions.
• Peer group therapy is often focused on developing social skills and interpersonal skills.
• "Wrap around" services, which include a full-day school program and home-based therapy services to maintain progress in the home setting. Thus, effective treatment can include resources from several agencies, and coordination is critical.