Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a condition where children act out in a defiant way against any authority. Children with ODD often actively look for ways to aggravate or irritate their peers and family members. Some of the other common symptoms of ODD include lying purposefully about wrong actions in order to incriminate others, being constantly argumentative, and being prone to violence. The condition can potentially be confused with normal childhood misbehavior, and the primary differentiating factor is the level of severity. In order for a case of ODD to be diagnosed, the condition has to continue for at least six months.
People with this condition are known to continue having various mental issues as they grow up. In fact, experts say that it isn’t uncommon for untreated ODD sufferers to eventually develop antisocial behavior problems or even become criminals. It's also fairly common for sufferers to eventually be diagnosed with other mental problems that may have been contributing factors to their ODD.
There are many possible causes for ODD, and some experts think that it can be caused by different things in different children. A significant number of children with this condition come from families where other mental problems are common, but experts are generally uncertain whether that is because of a familial culture, poverty, or genetics. Some children with this disorder may come from troubled homes, and it is known to be more common in children from poverty-stricken areas. Some experts have associated the disorder with abuse, but there are cases of children with ODD who have no visible signs of abuse or any kind of troubled background at all.
Several treatment approaches for ODD exist, including psychiatric techniques, medications, and parental strategies. When treatment is followed through and handled properly, children are often able to get back on track. Sometimes psychiatrists are reluctant to diagnose the disorder, because there are a lot of other possible issues that could be causing the same problem. It’s also often important to make sure that the child is actually suffering from ODD rather than normal misbehavior.
One of the most common treatment approaches is to train parents how to properly handle the conduct of their children. Parents will often learn what to say when their children misbehave and practice different ways of imposing discipline. For some kids, psychotherapy can also be helpful, and some may be given prescription medications, which can potentially help them keep their behavior under better control.
