Your Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children (2024)

Raising a child comes with many challenges. Whetheryou’re trying to soothe their latest case ofstrep throatordoing what you cantoprevent summer injuries, it can be a lot of work.Andlest weforgetthe occasional misbehavioror crankiness thatappears ineven the most docileofchildren when theybecomeovertired or frustrated.Challenging for sure,but manageable, right?

Butwhat happens whena child’sbehaviorbecomesunmanageableor so severe that it interferes withtheir ability to function?Is it just atemper tantrum,or istherea larger concernthat needs professional attention?

What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Oppositional defiant disorder(ODD)is a behaviordisorder found insomechildrenand adolescents. Children with an ODD diagnosis exhibita clinically significant levelofanger, frustration, and defiance towards authority figures like teachers andeventheir parents.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms

Common symptoms in a child with ODD are:

• Arguing with adults
• Aggressiveandvindictivebehavior
• Disruptive behavior in school and at home
• Low frustration tolerance
• Lack of impulse control
• Refusing to do what they're told
• Blaming others for mistakes
• Deliberately breaking rules
• Purposefully annoying others (not just siblings)

Any child or adolescent can exhibit the above behaviors from time to time. Whatqualifiesasan ODD diagnosis is the significant impact on the individual andtheir family.

ODDdoes notstandaloneand generally hasa high comorbidity rate with other mental healthconditions.Commonco-occurring mental healthconditionsin childrenand adolescentswith ODDare:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

How Does aMental HealthProfessionalDiagnoseOppositional Defiant Disorder?

The diagnosis needs to come from a professional, like apsychiatrist,psychologist,licensedprofessionalcounselor,or alicensedclinicalsocialworker.In order to be diagnosed,your child mustexhibit a pattern of behavior problemsthat cause clinically significant distressfor a duration ofat least six months.If these behaviors are isolated to sibling interaction, the criteria of ODD would not be met.

Amental health professionalwill takea detailed history of the child’s behaviors in varioussettings and situations.Theywill evaluate the frequency, intensity,and duration of symptoms,as well as the child’s ability to function during the episodes.

ODD is often misdiagnosedand wrongly credited for some ofthe unexplainablechallenges of child rearing. In order to truly identify it, aclinician willwork toruleout any otherpossiblemental health conditions that may becausingbehavioral issues. “Children are more than just their behaviors,” saysSummit Health behavioristJanna Hodge,LPC. “All behavior means something. Since children can’talways tell us what is bothering them, they show us, and it’sup totheir care givers and professionals to figure out whatthat is.”

What Causes Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

It's not clear what causes ODD in children and adolescents.It is believedthatODDcould be influenced by several things such as environmental factors, developmental factors, and possiblylearned behaviors.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Treatment Options

Treatment forODD symptoms include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family therapy
• Parentingmodels of therapy
• Peer/Grouptherapy
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy(P-CIT)
• Medication therapy

These therapies, especially P-CIT and family therapy, allow children and parents to recognize problems, issues,andnegative feelingsinacontrolledprofessional setting.

MyChildDoesNotWantTherapy. WhatDo IDo?

Unfortunately,it is not uncommon for children and adolescents with ODD to beuncooperativein treatment.Remember, they blame everyone else for their problems,so coming to therapy is usually a challenge for them.Thankfully, parenting models of treatment have been clinically proven to beeffective.The purpose of parent training modelsisto giveparentsthe skillsto effectively managetheirchild’semotional andbehavioral issueswhenthey cannot do it themselves.

IsMyChildGoing toBe Okay?

The outcomes for children diagnosed with ODDvary. Withtheproper treatment and behavior management training, children and adolescentswith ODDcanthrivein adulthood.

Final Thoughts on Oppositional Defiant Disorder

ODDis acomplexbehavior disorder that canimpactmany areas of achild’s life, including family dynamics, academic, social,and emotional functioning. Intervention is key.

If you think your child may have ODD or any other mental health condition, contactSummitHealth'sBehavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center(BHCTC)and request to schedule an appointment.Parents who identify behavioral issues as theirmainconcernare scheduled for a 15-minute phoneconsultation to speak to a therapistto gain abetter understanding of their needs. Based on this screening, the therapistcan makearecommendationaboutthe best next steps.Pediatric therapists at our center are well versed in the mental health challenges of children and adolescents and can help you navigate the treatment of ODD.

For more information on behavioral disorders like oppositional defiant disorder,book an appointment online.