Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Children - Maximed Turkey
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children?
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is one of the most
common childhood disorders. ODD is defined as a pattern of disobedient,
hostile, and defiant behaviour. This type of disorder usually starts before the
age of ten years old. Almost all children who have oppositional defiance
disorder go on to develop conduct problems in adolescence and adulthood because
it's often present before age 10, but not always obvious until then.
What causes ODD in a child?
When left untreated, the oppositional defiant disorder
can continue into adulthood and cause significant problems with employment and
intimate relationships. It is not uncommon for people with this condition to
end up as defendants, as the disorder makes them more prone to acts of
delinquency. In addition, those with ODD are more likely to end up in all kinds
of legal trouble as they progress through life.
How is ODD prevented in a child?
Sometimes, school-based social skills programs that
teach children how to interact appropriately with other people can help reduce
bullying and other kinds of problematic behaviors. In addition, parenting
programs may help parents learn how to recognize and deal with their children's
aggression, especially if they have dealt with this type of behavior
themselves. Parents should also try to spend more time talking to their
children about their feelings rather than telling them what to do or what not
to do.
How is ODD diagnosed in a child?
Psychiatrists diagnose oppositional defiant disorder
using the same criteria used to diagnose adults with conduct disorder but
adapted for children. However, like their adult counterparts, children with ODD
are often referred to as oppositional, unruly, disruptive, and hard to manage.
This is not surprising since the term oppositional defiant disorder originates
from research conducted by Ross Greene at Harvard University that demonstrated
that this type of behaviour often arises in children who struggle with anger and
frustration resulting from not getting their way.
Evidence indicates that adults with conduct disorder
may have had ODD as children. However, children who exhibit oppositional
defiant disorder do not necessarily go on to develop conduct problems or
antisocial personality disorders as adults.
How is ODD treated in a child?
A review of the literature indicates that behaviour
modification techniques are the first line of treatment for children with oppositional defiant disorder. Children with ODD are usually treated with social
skills training or cognitive behavioural therapy, although they may also be
given medication for their condition. Often the combination of these approaches
leads to the most effective outcomes.
The following are some of the most effective methods for
treating children with ODD:
Research has shown that treating ODD is more effective
than ethical treatments, although it's more difficult to administer. Parents
who treat their children's oppositional defiant disorder often have better
relationships with them overall and less tension in the home environment.
Children who have the oppositional defiant disorder are
often treated with behaviour modification therapy. Parents often bring the
behaviour modification therapy home with them to apply it to their children's
homes. Many clinicians believe that this kind of therapy is more effective than
non-surgical methods of dealing with children's oppositional problems.
Frequently Asked Questions on ODD
Is there a test for oppositional defiant disorder?
There are no currently available, widely used tests for oppositional defiant disorder. However, some clinicians believe there may
be genetic markers associated with this disorder which will further research.
What is Somatization disorder?
Somatization disorder involves multiple complaints or
multiple symptoms that suggest an underlying physical problem. Some important
things to know about somatization disorders include the following:
In addition, people with somatization disorders have
been known to experience other conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
