Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder – What is it?
Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, often abbreviated as ODD, represent a small but significant group of young people with a disturbing behaviour problem that is difficult to manage, troubling to parents and teacher alike, and that places them at risk for future problems. The statistics about the prevalence of ODD vary quite a bit, from a low of five percent to a high of sixteen percent of children under the age of eighteen. The condition seems to occur more in boys than girls and the ratio is dominated by boys until age eighteen. After that age the condition seems to occur in boys and girls equally.
Once identified the condition seems to be resolved after three years in about 67% of all cases. A small but significant percent (30%) of children with the condition go on to develop a more serious behaviour disturbance know as Conduct Disorder (CD). Like so many conditions of childhood ODD frequently occurs in combination with other conditions such as ADHD (in about 65% of cases), Mood Disorders (in about 35% of cases) and Learning Disabilities (in about 20%-30% of cases).
The cause of ODD is unknown although researches believe that genetic and biological factors often account for its occurrence. Some studies have identified brain irregularities among some children with the disorder. It is also known than family member of people with ODD have a high incidence of ADHD, substance abuse and mood disorders. It is widely recognised that harsh discipline and punitive parenting play a role in the genesis of the disorder.
What are the Symptoms of ODD?
The following traits and characteristics are related to Oppositional Defiant Disorder:
Often loses temper
Often argues with adults
Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
Often deliberately annoys people
Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
Is often angry and resentful
Is often spiteful or vindictive
In order for the difficulties, which obviously can be present in many children, to be indicative of ODD they must have been present for a period of at least six months and must cause significant interference with social, academic or occupational functioning. In short ODD is a persistent pattern of negativistic, defiant and hostile behaviour.
What is the Treatment for ODD?
ODD is usually treated by helping parents manage the child more effectively. Changes in discipline, organisation of the home and manner of speaking with the child are necessary. Cognitive behaviour therapy is sometimes used in conjunction with parent training but ODD is a condition that is not easy to treat in a counselling setting. Parent Management Training is often used and is known to be effective in about 65% of cases. If ADHD or Mood Disorders are present with ODD medication may be helpful.
ODD is a difficult and challenging condition of childhood. It tries the patience of parents and teachers and can have a damaging impact on siblings and other family members.
David J. Carey, Psy.D.
297 Beechwood Court
Stillorgan
Dublin, Ireland
http://www.davidjcarey.com