Oppositional defiant disorder

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavioral problem characterized by constant disobedience and hostility. Around one in 10 children under the age of 12 years are thought to have ODD, with boys outnumbering girls by two to one. ODD is one of a group of behavioral disorders known collectively as disruptive behavior disorders which include conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early intervention and treatment is important, since children with untreated ODD may continue to be difficult and antisocial into their adult years. This can impact on their relationships, career prospects and quality of life. Some children with ODD will develop the more serious conduct disorder (CD) which is characterized by aggressive criminal and violent behaviors.

Characteristics of ODD
ODD behaviors usually surface when the child is at primary school but the disorder can be found in children as young as three years of age. Some of the behaviors of a child with ODD may include:

• · Is easily angered, annoyed or irritated
• · Has Frequent temper tantrums
• · Argues frequently with adults, particularly the most familiar adults in their lives, such as parents
• · Refuses to obey rules
• · Seems to deliberately try to annoy or aggravate others
• · Has low self esteem
• · Has low frustration threshold
• · Seeks to blame others for any misfortunes and misdeeds.

• The link to conduct disorder
  Without intervention and treatment, some children with ODD progress to develop conduct disorder (CD) which is characterized by aggressive and delinquent behaviors including:

• · Lying
• · Being sadistic or cruel to animals and people
• · Physically or sexually abusing others
• · Criminal behaviours like deliberately lighting fires, vandalism or stealing.

• Family life is an important risk factor
  The cause of disruptive behaviour disorders is unknown but the quality of the child’s family life seems to be an important factor in the development of ODD. Some studies have found that certain environmental factors in the family increase the risk of disruptive behaviour disorders, including:

• · Poor parenting skills
• · Domestic violence
• · Physical abuse
• · Sexual abuse
• · Neglect
• · Poverty
• · Substance abuse by parents or carers.

• Diagnosis
  ODD needs to be professionally diagnosed by a child psychologist, child psychiatrist or paediatrician specialising in behavioural disorders. Diagnosis involves detailed interviews with the child (if they are old enough), parents and teachers, and comparing the child’s behaviour with a checklist for ODD ..
  
  Treatment options
  Treatment options may include:

• · Parental training - to help the parents to better manage and interact with their child, including behavioral techniques that reinforce good behavior and discourage bad. This is the primary form of treatment and the most effective. Social support is increased if the parents are trained in groups with other parents who have children with ODD.
• · Functional family therapy - to teach all family members to communicate and problem-solve more effectively.
• · Consistency of care - all carers of the child (including parents, grandparents, teachers, child care workers and so on) need to be consistent in the way they behave towards and manage the child.

• Where to get help

• · Your doctor
• · Child psychologist
• · Child psychiatrist
• · Pediatrician

• Things to remember

• · Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavioural problem characterized by constant disobedience and hostility.
• · The quality of parenting seems to be an important factor in the development of ODD.
• · Treatment options include parent management training and family therapy.