Your Health - Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

(ODD)

Definition

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavior disorder in children and teens. Those with this disorder show negative, angry, and defiant behaviors much more often than most people of the same age. So much so that these behaviors begin to adversely affect the person’s relationships and ability to perform successfully in school, work, and family situations.

Causes

The cause of ODD is unknown. Like other psychiatric disorders, ODD results from a combination of genetic, family, and social factors. Children with ODD may inherit chemical imbalances in the brain that predispose them to the disorder.

Child's Brain

A chemical imbalance in the brain may be responsible for ODD.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for ODD include:

Sex: male
Age: childhood and teen years
A parent with a mood, conduct, attention deficit, or substance abuse disorder
Marital conflict
Child abuse
Inconsistent parental attention
Low socioeconomic status

Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin around age 8 and increase over several months.

Children with ODD often:

Argue with adults
Lose their tempers
Refuse to follow adults' requests or rules
Deliberately annoy others and are annoyed by others
Are angry and resentful
Are spiteful or vindictive
Blame others for their own mistakes
Have low self-esteem

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms, medical history, and family history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor will also look for other conduct disorders.

Diagnosis of ODD is based on these criteria:

Child displays at least four common symptoms (see symptoms above).
Symptoms occur more often and have more serious consequences than is typical in children of a similar age.
Symptoms lead to significant problems in school, work, or social life.
Symptoms are continuously present for at least 6 months.

Treatment

Treatment may include the following:

Parent Training

Training is designed to help parents manage their child's behavior.

Child Psychotherapy

The purpose of the psychotherapy is to teach the child better ways to manage anger.

Family Psychotherapy

Family therapy help to improve family communication skills.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

This type of therapy helps the child and family members learn problem-solving skills and decrease negativity.

Social Skills Training

Training to help the child reduce frustration with peers.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing ODD.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org

American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/

Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/home.asp

References:

American Psychiatry Association. Available at: http://www.psych.org .

Children with oppositional defiant disorder. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website. Available at: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/72.htm . Accessed July 2003.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home Edition. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.

Last reviewed September 2009 by Theodor B. Rais, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.