| Oppositional Defiant Disorder - What is it? | | | | What are the Symptoms of ODD? |
| Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, often | | | | The following traits and characteristics are related to |
| abbreviated as ODD, represent a small but significant | | | | Oppositional Defiant Disorder:o Often loses tempero |
| group of young people with a disturbing behaviour | | | | Often argues with adultso Often actively defies or |
| problem that is difficult to manage, troubling to parents | | | | refuses to comply with adults' requests or ruleso |
| and teacher alike, and that places them at risk for | | | | Often deliberately annoys peopleo Often blames |
| future problems. The statistics about the prevalence of | | | | others for his or her mistakes or misbehavioro Is often |
| ODD vary quite a bit, from a low of five percent to a | | | | touchy or easily annoyed by otherso Is often angry |
| high of sixteen percent of children under the age of | | | | and resentfulo Is often spiteful or vindictive |
| eighteen. The condition seems to occur more in boys | | | | In order for the difficulties, which obviously can be |
| than girls and the ratio is dominated by boys until age | | | | present in many children, to be indicative of ODD they |
| eighteen. After that age the condition seems to occur | | | | must have been present for a period of at least six |
| in boys and girls equally. | | | | months and must cause significant interference with |
| Once identified the condition seems to be resolved | | | | social, academic or occupational functioning. In short |
| after three years in about 67% of all cases. A small | | | | ODD is a persistent pattern of negativistic, defiant and |
| but significant percent (30%) of children with the | | | | hostile behaviour. |
| condition go on to develop a more serious behaviour | | | | What is the Treatment for ODD? |
| disturbance know as Conduct Disorder (CD). Like so | | | | ODD is usually treated by helping parents manage the |
| many conditions of childhood ODD frequently occurs in | | | | child more effectively. Changes in discipline, |
| combination with other conditions such as ADHD (in | | | | organisation of the home and manner of speaking with |
| about 65% of cases), Mood Disorders (in about 35% | | | | the child are necessary. Cognitive behaviour therapy is |
| of cases) and Learning Disabilities (in about 20%-30% | | | | sometimes used in conjunction with parent training but |
| of cases). | | | | ODD is a condition that is not easy to treat in a |
| The cause of ODD is unknown although researches | | | | counselling setting. Parent Management Training is |
| believe that genetic and biological factors often | | | | often used and is known to be effective in about 65% |
| account for its occurrence. Some studies have | | | | of cases. If ADHD or Mood Disorders are present with |
| identified brain irregularities among some children with | | | | ODD medication may be helpful. |
| the disorder. It is also known than family member of | | | | ODD is a difficult and challenging condition of childhood. |
| people with ODD have a high incidence of ADHD, | | | | It tries the patience of parents and teachers and can |
| substance abuse and mood disorders. It is widely | | | | have a damaging impact on siblings and other family |
| recognised that harsh discipline and punitive parenting | | | | members. |
| play a role in the genesis of the disorder. | | | | |