Even the best-behaved children can be difficult and challenging at times. But if your child or teenager has a frequent and persistent pattern of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance or vindictiveness towards you and other authority figures, they might have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
Oppositional Defiance disorder (ODD) is a behavior disorder that is characterized by uncooperative, defiant, negativistic, irritable, and annoying behaviors toward parents, peers, teachers and other authority figures.
ODD is more common in boys than in girls. Most symptoms seen in children and teens with ODD also happen at times in other children who don’t have ODD. This is especially true for children around the ages 2 to 3 or during the teen years. Many children tend to disobey, argue with parents or defy authority. They may often behave this way when they are tired, hungry, or upset. But in children and teens with ODD, these symptoms happen more often. The symptoms can interfere with learning and school adjustment. Children and adolescents with ODD can be distressing or troubling to themselves but its more distressing to others.
Children with the following mental health problems are more likely to have ODD:
Frequent temper tantrums
Arguing a lot with adults
Refusing to do what an adult asks
Always questioning rules and refusing to follow rules
Doing things to annoy or upset others, including adults
Blaming others for their own misbehaviors or mistakes
Being easily annoyed by others
Often having an angry attitude
Speaking harshly or unkindly
Seeking revenge or being vindictive
How We Help:
Our team helps to provide a consistent daily schedule that outlines support, rules, discipline and limits. Our counselors and therapists work closely with the patient to understand the root of their disorder in order to successfully control the diagnosis. If your child displays symptoms of ODD, click here to complete a referral form and we’ll take it from there. We’re here to help!