| Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a thief. | | | | ODD, parents areexhausted from the emotional |
| It steals relationships. Calls and visits from family and | | | | rollercoaster they've endured by living with |
| friends, who have become fed up with the ODD child's | | | | theuncontrollable outbursts and constant arguing. |
| behavior, become fewer and fewer until the ODD child | | | | Families sometimes are disruptedto a point where the |
| and his family are left completely isolated at a time | | | | child has to leave the home for foster care or a |
| when they need help the most. | | | | hospital. |
| ODD cheats parents out of time, since children | | | | Although the situation may seem hopeless, families |
| suffering from it need constantsupervision. Mothers | | | | have found ways to worktogether and cope with an |
| and fathers get precious little time to sleep, exercise, | | | | ODD child. Many children get better and sometimesare |
| relaxor take time for themselves. | | | | even rid of the disorder after treatment. Others - |
| It robs families of memories of happy holidays and | | | | especially those with morethan one psychological or |
| festive occasions. Insteadthey are replaced with | | | | behavioral problem, a common problem with |
| recollections of special events marred by outbursts. | | | | ODDchildren - may not. What is important for parents |
| ODD takes away the ability to learn. Frustrated, | | | | to understand is that theirfamily can cope with an ODD |
| overburdened teachers oftendon't have the skills to | | | | child whether the disorder improves or not. |
| cope with an ODD child, and many times just give up. | | | | Many parents have trudged this road before you and |
| The disorder pilfers any social confidence or | | | | have plenty of wisdom toshare. Look online for |
| self-assurance its young victimsmight have. School | | | | support groups in your area. It always helps to share |
| becomes hell for the ODD child, his parents and his | | | | yourburden with someone who has been there |
| teachers. | | | | already. |
| By the time most children have been diagnosed with | | | | |