How to Treat Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Does your child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder? Are you looking for treatment strategies for Oppositional Defiant Disorder? If Oppositional Defiant Disorder child behavior is your concern you have come to the right place.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder vs. Normal Defiance
Some children are a bit more difficult by nature. Other children go through stages of oppositional defiance, such as during the teenage years. However, if your child is easily angered, continually argues, and intentionally disturbs others he might be one of the 5-10% of children who have Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the most common of all childhood psychiatric disorders.Oppositional Defiant Disorder is one of the three disruptive behavior disorders defined by the American Psychiatric Association in their handbook of mental disorders, the DSM-IV. Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder display belligerent and antagonistic behavior towards parents, teachers, and other adults in authority roles. These children tend to quarrel frequently with their peers and intentionally do things to irritate others. They also are easily annoyed.
Due to their difficult behavior, ODD children have a lot of problems in their interactions with others. Although it is the behavior of these children that is the root of most of their conflicts, ODD children do not see it that way. They usually blame others for the problems they encounter and do not take responsibility for their actions.
Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
It can be hard to tell the difference between the behavior of a stubborn child who is normal and a child who has Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Children display a wide range of behaviors and even a child with a high degree of oppositional defiance can be normal.The difference between oppositional defiance, which is normal and an oppositional defiance disorder is a matter of degree. How do you tell the difference?
If your child's oppositional defiant behavior is persistent, has been going on for at least six months, and is disrupting your family life, his home and school environment, and is clearly interfering with his ability to function normally, then your child's oppositional defiance may meet the criteria to be classified as a disorder.
Your child may have ODD if your child is regularly and consistently:
- Angry
- Disobedient
- Argumentative
- Quick to take offense
- Malicious
- Vindictive
- Aggressive toward other children
- Resentful
- Cruel
Oppositional Defiant Disorder children display their defiance by:
- Talking back to adults
- Refusing to obey requests from adults
- Blaming others for mistakes or misbehaviors
- Deliberately flaunting rules
- Willfully annoying others
- Being quick to anger
- Speaking harshly to others
- Seeking revenge
- Having frequent temper tantrums
- Having difficulty maintaining friendships
If your child is persistently disobedient, willfully defiant, constantly negative, or incessantly hostile toward you or other figures of authority, you may have a reason for concern.
Which ODD Behavior Bothers You the Most?
Diagnosing Oppositional Defiant Disorder
If you suspect your child's defiance is not normal for his age, you need to consult a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who has experience working with and diagnosing ODD in children. Your child should have a full evaluation, including a medical screen for problems such as sensory processing defects, muscle coordination problems, and an evaluation for learning disabilities.
If you would like to do a quick preliminary assessment yourself you can try this ODD Test
Why do Some Children Have ODD?
The most accurate answer is that nobody knows. There are two predominant theories.The first theory is that Oppositional Defiant Disorder comes as a result of disruption of normal behavioral development. Most two to four year old children demonstrate oppositional defiance that is quite similar to ODD. Researchers feel that ODD children may get stuck in this stage of development and never fully grow out of it. However, parents of ODD children often report that their children were more demanding and inflexible even at a young age, suggesting that ODD is not just a matter of arrested development.
Proponents of the second theory suggest that the defiance of Oppositional Defiant Disorder children is a result of negative interactions with adults that these children have while growing up.
There seem to be several physical factors that influence the appearance of ODD.
There are sexual differences. At younger ages, boys tend to have ODD more frequently than girls. However, as the children get older the sexual discrepancy goes away and in older children the rate of oppositional defiance is about the same.
There are strong indications that ODD can be an inherited trait. Also, mothers who smoke or drink excessively while pregnant have a greater chance of giving birth to children who will develop an oppositional defiance problem.
There are psychological and social factors that contribute to the likelihood of ODD occurring. Children who grow up in abusive or unstable homes or in homes where there is only a single parent are more likely to develop Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Also, children who are brought up in an environment where there is poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, or violence are more likely to develop oppositional defiance.
Co-existing Conditions
What other conditions accompany Oppositional Defiant Disorder? If your child has ODD, then there is a:
- * 50-65% chance he also has ADHD
- * 35% chance he will eventually develop an affective disorder
- * 20% possibility he will develop Bipolar disorder or some other mood disorder in the future
- * 15% chance he will eventually have some type of personality disorder
- * Significant possibility he has an overlooked learning disorder
For this reason, if you think your child might have Oppositional Defiant Disorder you should have him evaluated for other problems as well. You need to uncover these other problems, because that will give you the keys to effectively treating his oppositional defiance in many instances, as we shall soon discuss.
Future Outlook
- There are children that do outgrow their oppositional defiance. 50% of younger children who are believed to have ODD will no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for this condition by the time they are eight years old. However, if a child still has ODD when he is eight, there is only a 25% chance he will ever outgrow it.
- Occasionally, what was thought to be ODD when a child was younger is really a precursor of some other condition. 5-10% of preschool children who were believed to have ODD have their diagnosis changed later on to ADHD. At times the oppositional defiance of these children deteriorates and they eventually meet the criteria for Conduct Disorder, the most serious of the three disruptive behavior disorders in children. If the child is going to go in this direction, it is usually evident early in his life. Most children who have ODD for several years who have not yet showed signs of Conduct Disorder will probably never develop it.
- 5% will continue to have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and nothing else.
- Most children will continue to have ODD, but show signs of some other co-existing disorder.
Insights on Oppositional Defiance in Teens
Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Medical treatment for ODD focuses on treating the accompanying conditions first.Research shows that ODD children who also have ADHD have a 90% chance of eliminating their oppositional defiance if their ADHD is treated effectively. This is true even when the severity of ADHD by itself was not enough to warrant medical intervention.
Omega-3 oils and vitamin E were tested in ODD children. Both seemed to help with the behavior to some degree.
Psychological Treatment
Generally, the younger your child is when you enroll in such a program, the better the outcome will be. However, recently a new extremely effective method for addressing ODD teenage behavior was developed. If your oppositional defiant child is already a teenager, you still are able to help your child. See the recommended resources below for more information.
What You Need to Do
1. Get your child a thorough medical and psychological evaluation. You must know exactly what your child's problems are before you can take steps to eliminating them.
2. After you identify any other disorders that your child has, treat them aggressively. Addressing the conditions that accompany ODD can often be the quickest way to eliminate your child's oppositional defiance.
3. Consider giving your child an Omega-3 supplement and a vitamin E supplement. There are no ill effects of giving these nutrients and most children are deficient in them.
4. Enroll in a parent training program, either locally if you have the financial resources, or on line.
Conclusion
It is hard to raise a child who has Oppositional Defiant Disorder. However, it can be done.If you identify your child's other problems and treat them; AND if you develop your parenting skills through a specialized parenting program, then you will be successful.
About Which Topics Would you Like to Learn More?
Recommended Resources
Information
- University of Maryland
- Oppositional defiant disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. To fit this diagnosis, the pattern must persist for at least 6 months and must go beyond the bounds of normal childhood misbehavior.
- University of Virginia
- Detailed information on oppositional defiant disorder, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
- Health Scout
- Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Do you need help with an Oppositional Defiant Disorder child? Is your child's behavior and defiance destroying your family? We have information that will help you.
- Complete Connection Parenting Community
- A great blog on all sorts of parenting issues
- "Parenting with Control" e-Letter series
- A great newsletter for parents struggling with their children. There are separate letters for parents of youngre children and parents of teens.
Online Treatment Programs
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder Parenting Help
- Program to help parents take control of their child's difficult defiant behavior. For children for the ages of 3-12.
- Teen Behavior Program
- Program to help parents with difficult teen behavior. For ages 12 and older.
- ADD ADHD Child Treatment Program
- The complete integrated program that shows you how to get the right treatment plan for your ADHD child for less than the cost of one visit to your doctor.
Online Screening Tests
- ODD Screening Test
- Screening test for Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Lenses in this Series
- Homework and Your Child
- Many parents struggle to get their child to do homework. They are afraid that if their child doesn't do the work assigned, he or she will fall behind the class and may even need to repeat the year. More than that, parents fear that if children don't get used to doing homework at an early age, they w
- Does Your Child Have Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
- Does your child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder-ODD? Take this quick screening test
- ODD: Handling School Defiance
- Many professional teachers get very little mental health training. And if you've been teaching for any length of time it will be obvious to you that you didn't have anywhere near enough. Is there a child in your class who is openly defiant and disruptive? Nothing seems to help his behavior. It may
- ODD: What to Do
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) first appears in children under the age of 10. It rarely begins in older children. Parents whose children have ODD notice that they are rigid and excessively demanding in their behavior from a very early age. In younger children, ODD is more common among boys than
- ODD: Children Who Talk Back
- Parents of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder often wonder if nature or nurture is responsible for how their child behaves. If it's nature - then there is something wrong with the genes the child inherited. If nurture - then the parents and the situation the child has grown up in is to blam
- ODD and Tantrums
- Oppositional defiant disorder is a psychiatric disorder affecting mainly children. It is characterized by defiant and disruptive behaviors towards authority figures (parents and teachers) greater than would be normal for a child of that developmental age and which causes social problems. These behav
- The Defiance of ODD
- The following are case studies that demonstrate typical oppositional defiant disorder behavior in children with both ODD and ADHD.
- Can ODD become Conduct Disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is often considered a milder and less extreme version of conduct disorder. While the vast majority of those with conduct disorder had previously had ODD, few children with oppositional defiant disorder go on to have conduct disorder.
- ODD Children and Homework Problems
- ODD Children and Homework Problems
- ODD Teenagers and Homework
- Homework for teens with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) can be a real issue. This is the age when homework becomes much more important and teachers are giving much more in terms of volume and complexity. Teenagers will have to spend more time on homework as they move up in the school system. As
- ODD or ADHD? What is the Difference?
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are two distinct and separate conditions typically diagnosed in childhood. They are confused because quite a number of children with ODD are also diagnosed with ADHD. Oppositional defiant disorder can co exist wi
- ODD and School Failure
- School failure is unfortunately a common problem in children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Strong cooperation and understanding between school staff and parents is required to combat it. The most effective way to tackle school failure is by diagnosing and treating the condition early. As
Did You Like This Article? Please Let Me Know
hillary1975
in reply to Kerri
Hi Kerri-
Did you know that the author of this article, Dr. Kane, has a program for difficult teens? It's linked to above under "Teen Behavior program". I used it and it really saved my kids. I don't know what I would have done if things kept on going the way they were. Dr. Kane is considered the leading expert in the world today on child and teen behavior. After using his program for a while I can see why. The worst thing in the world is having to throw your kid out of the house. Thank God I didn't have to do that.
Posted December 28, 2008
LYNN wrote
Where to begin? I have two teens, ages 13(girl) and 14(boy). I can identify with the concept that when they are around it is a war zone. They are currently living with their dad because my job does not allow me to be there when they should get up and go to school or when they get off. They cannot be trusted to be alone either by together or separately. There are no after school programs for their age group and the few programs they were in before they have been kicked out of. Their dad thinks they are "just going through a phase" but if so it started at age 5 and doesn't look to be ending soon. My fiance doesn't want them around and has a 15 year old that shouldn't be subjected to their hostility. I worry that they both will not be able to hold down a job, relationship, or parent their own children. I was treated for ODD when I was a teen. It helped and the skills I learned then developed as I aged, so I do have hope.
Posted December 28, 2008
Kerri wrote
Hi Suellen
I can relate to EVERYTHING you have said. My daughter has been diagnosed with ODD. She just all the time acts like a crazy person around me. She was living with her father and he abused her for her behaviour which has made her worse and now she is back with me I am constantly abused. She throws my things, is suspended from school several times a year for the way she treats the teachers, and of course won't take any responsibility that it is her behaviour that is not acceptable. Her pshychiatrist told me to take out an AVO with the police to stop her being physically violent with me (only in small ways for now) and we went to court but that has only made things worse. The police tell me to "throw her out on the street" and let her make her own way in the world but she is 14 and I'm not sure how a mother does this. I am also at the end of my rope. Her behaviour to her friends parents is great and they wouldn't have a clue what I am talking about, so frustrating.....
Posted December 26, 2008
Julie wrote
in reply to suellen51 I relate to your problem. My husband has a 9 year old that is ODD and unfortunately untreated. I noticed this behavior when I first met her at 5 yrs old. Last year, her school insisted she be ADD tested. She was on meds and then her mother stopped because she complained. She is very defiant and does not respect adult authority. She is manipulative and will go to extreme to get her way. She will argue and disagree about anything, just to be arguing so she can be right and in control. Just this weekend, I locked the door to my daughter's room (who is off to college) so the 9 year old and her friends would not go through her things. She knew it was locked for that reason. She manipulated her father into giving her a paper clip to hold some papers together, when in fact she used it to open the lock. She does things like this all the time and her dad sugar coats the issue and claims she is just a child. He does not allow me to discipline her. What should I do?
Posted December 22, 2008
didi wrote
I found the article to be informative and right on. I have 3 boys who are all adhd in one form or another. I am desperately trying to gain some parenting insight in how to get my boys to respect me and stop driving each other to the edge of violence almost. Having trouble weeding throughout what the good advice is compared to money making propaganda. I thing my 9 year old is probably odd as well but he seems to direct it all towards me and this is really draining me. He is sweet for everyone else in authority but not me. He will try the same behavior with his Dad but to a much lesser degree. I seem to be the primary target for him these days. I just don't know who's advise i should follow when parenting all my boys but especially my 9 year old. I've learned all the why's, im having trouble with the hows.
My prayers are with any and all adhd kids and their parents and families. This is not easy and it is very real.
Posted December 21, 2008
Denise wrote
I live with a man that has custody of his 2 children. Both have ADHD, but the 9 year old also has ODD, which is getting pretty extreme these days. The biggest problem we have is getting his mother to go along with the rules we have here at this house. The kids go to see her every other weekend, but while there, there are no rules to follow and the children are allowed to do as they please. The 12 year old understands that she must follow rules here at home, and will try to be the adult at her mother's house, which means she's taking care of her mother, her brother, and her half-sister (that is also ADHD, I suspect ODD, and mentally underage for her 14 year old body). I just need to know what we can do at home to help the 9 year old understand respect here and at HIS mother's, which he has none for his mother, and that acting out in the fashion he does results in punishment for him. How do we get everyone on the same page? The mother is and was mentally and physically abusive.
Posted November 25, 2008
suellen51
in reply to michelle I am at my wits end. My 9 year old son is so out of control that I feel like I am living with an abusive spouse. I don't want to be around him much because any time around him means drama and anguish! I would rather send him to boarding school somewhere for the next 9 years than have to keep going through this hell of a life with him.
Posted October 28, 2008
suellen51
in reply to wendy
I hear you! My nine year old doesn't even go behind my back any more. He has no computer for 2 months! He will go on the internet right in front of me and when he is confronted he will lie when he is obviously on line! This is getting out of hand. He hits me, chokes me, tell me I am an impatient old lady(because I'm 51) I have him in his room all day today just so I don't have to deal with him anymore. I was homeschooling him but tomorrow he is going back to public school. I am going to start counseling. If things don't go his way he will attempt to break things, throw things, or scream like he's crazy. I have raised him right and I am so tired. The only peace I have is when he is asleep, If I have to send him 3 hours away to a school for children with these problems then so be it! I love him, but I love a sane mind more! I told him that the next time he put his hands on me I wouldn't even warn him, I would just call the police. I am fed up!
Posted October 28, 2008
bonnie albury wrote
My son has been diagnosed with a severe case of ADHD. Also, since he was 5 and now he is 13, he has been on Ritalin. For the past 2-3 years, the medication has not been working well like it use to when he was younger. Our family medical doctor has advised us to get him re-evaluated for other disorders such as ODD and impulsive disorder, and maybe even Tourettes syndrome. He has been a difficult child ever since he was 2 years old. Our family is always under deep depression and upsetment. Our daughter can't stand to be around him and my husband and I are constantly upset and argueing. We are at the end of our rope and our lives are like riding up and down in a rollarcoaster. Our son cannot and will not accept the word NO, and he refused to obey the adults around him no matter what the consequences. Punishment does no good and gets us no where. He will find a way to do what he wants and get what he wants and go where he wants!
I have no life!
bonnie albury
Posted October 18, 2008
linda wrote
i don't think my son has odd but is adhd
Posted October 17, 2008
