Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

Oppositional defiant disorder is described as a pattern of disobedient, defiant and aggressive behavior in the direction of authority figures. To a certain level, children can be normally rebellious, but when the disobedience goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior, child may be diagnosed with the oppositional deviant disorder. Untreated, this condition can severely disrupt the child’s normal daily activities and relationships within the family and school. Moreover, the child will only meet the criteria for diagnosis if the defiance actually interferes with its ability to function normally in society, and only if the behavior occurs for at least six months.

For most of the parents, it takes much time to recognize the difference between an iron-willed and difficult child, and one suffering from serious oppositional defiant disorder. In most of the cases, parents will seek professional help only when the situation really goes out of control and the child faces the inability to function normally in different social and community guided situations. If the child is very persistent in its behavior, and has been like that for at least six months, disruptive to the family or school environment, parents should consider seeking help from a doctor.

Other typical characteristics these children display are the use of obscene language and frequent swearing, excessively arguing with adults, refusing to comply with rules and regulations, deliberately trying to upset the others while being easily annoyed itself, having frequent outbursts of anger, being spiteful and seeking revenge.

These children are often moody and very irritable with problematic self-esteem. Unfortunately, they often seek an exit from their situation through the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

No one really knows why some children develop this kind of disorder. Scientists believe that a whole range of biological, genetic, and environmental factors increases one’s risk of developing this condition. The vulnerability to oppositional defiant disorder may be inherited, since many children with this problem have close family members suffering from different mental illnesses. Injuries and heavy trauma to certain areas of the brain can also result in behavioral problems with children. Similarly, abnormal levels of important neurotransmitters in the brain can result in the symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, and other mental illnesses. Children raised in dysfunctional families with a history of substance abuse or inconsistent discipline by parents may be at increased risk of developing oppositional defiant disorder.

Oppositional defiant disorder is usually treated in the combination of psychotherapy and various medications.