|
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) To many parents, oppositional defiant disorder will sound like a thumbnail description of their adolescent son or daughter. Disobedience and defiance of authority are its hallmarks. However, as with other diagnoses, a disorder exists only if the symptoms are more extreme than normal, extreme enough to cause clinically significant problems at home, school, or occupationally. The problems must endure for at least 6 months, and should lead to diagnosis only if they are clearly worse than should be expected at the developmental stage in question. Preschoolers and adolescents are particularly likely to engage in some of the hostile and negativistic behaviors that are the hallmark of ODD. Signs of ODD are usually seen before the child is 8 years old. At least prior to adolescence, males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with ODD. If the hostile and destructive behaviors are extreme, the diagnosis should probably be Conduct Disorder rather than ODD. Arguing with adults, loss of temper, and refusing to comply with the orders of adults are typical of ODD and not enough in themselves to justify a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder. Active refusal to obey and deliberate behaviors meant to annoy others are also often seen in children with ODD. Children with ODD sometimes "graduate" to Conduct Disorder. Treatment is difficult, but parental training based on social learning theory has shown some promise. ODD children "refuse" to get better, being just as negativistic about therapy as about everything else. Read a book on the subject: The
Defiant Child : A Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Last updated 12/19/03 |
||
