Causes and risk factors foroppositional defiant disorder
While the exact cause for this disorder is unknown, researchers agree that there are a number of causes and risk factors that lead to the development of ODD. The most accepted explanations include:
Genetic:Many children who have developed ODD have close family members with a history of mental illness, which is an indicator that a vulnerability to ODD is inherited.
Physical:It has been frequently suggested that deficits in the brain or injuries to certain areas of the brain have the ability to lead to serious behavioral problems among children. Additionally, chemical imbalances in the brain, as a result of abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters, are known to bring about symptoms of mental illnesses. More specifically, neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other and when they are not working properly nerve messages may not be received properly leading to symptoms of ODD.
Environmental:Finally, it is a widely accepted belief that a person’s environment has a significant impacts on the development of mental health disorders such as ODD. This may be especially important because the onset of ODD symptoms occurs in childhood, making the environment in which a child is raised extremely influential. Factors such as a chaotic home life, inconsistent discipline by parents, and being exposed to abuse, neglect, or trauma at an early age can all lead to the onset of ODD symptoms.
Risk Factors:
- Family history of mental illness
- Witnessing violent or aggressive behaviors
- Exposure to trauma / abuse/ neglect
- Being raised in a chaotic / stressful home
- Inconsistent parenting
- Exposure to substance use or abuse
