Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can cause a great deal of difficulty for your child and your family. Unfortunately, many children with ODD are labeled as being “defiant, rebellious, disobedient and unruly” by those that don’t understand the disorder. ODD can leave children feeling awful as they are avoided by other children and sternly disciplined by adults. Ignored and untreated, these symptoms can impact the quality of your child’s life. While ODD can be overwhelming, you are not alone, counseling can help.

What is ODD?

ODD or oppositional defiant disorder is a behavioral condition that generally starts developing during preschool years. It affects about six to 10 percent of youngsters and is characterized by a clinically high level of disobedience and defiance. The Child Mind Institute describes this behavioral condition as “a persistent behavioral pattern of angry or irritable mood; argumentative, defiant behavior towards authority figures; and vindictiveness.”

ODD can be an unsettling condition that can damage relationships and breed misunderstanding with family, peers and authority figures. ODD can become more complicated when there are other concerns or diagnoses present, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression and other learning disorders. The symptoms of ODD can profoundly disrupt the life of your child. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) – Fifth Edition, symptoms of ODD are:

Angry and irritable mood:

• Often loses temper
• Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
• Is often angry and resentful

Argumentative and defiant behavior:

• Often argues with adults or people in authority
• Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
• Often deliberately annoys people
• Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior

Vindictiveness:

• Is often spiteful or vindictive
• Has shown spiteful or vindictive behavior at least twice in the past six months

What’s Behind ODD?

ODD can be influenced by a number of factors. One factor is brain chemistry, changes in brain chemicals or neurotransmitters, such as the decreased level of the hormone cortisol that can affect the functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain can lead to symptoms. ODD can also have a hereditary factor.

These predispositions can be enhanced under “ideal” environmental conditions, reinforcing defiant reactions and behaviors and lead to their expression. The most influential of these may be trauma, conflict or inconsistent messages. Experiencing abuse can also significantly contribute to susceptibility to ODD.

The Value of Professional Intervention

A child with ODD may not see their behavior as “problematic” or unusual. They may likely think that there is nothing wrong with their behavior or that they are mere responses to the people around them who are the ones being unreasonable and difficult. Therapy can help.

A child with ODD has a higher risk of developing other conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorders. Their symptoms can leave them feeling as if their peers avoid them or that they are dealt with harshly by authority figures. It can be difficult for children to take accountability for their behaviors and find new ways of expressing and managing their emotions. It can be helpful to look into counseling as a way of helping with this.

A therapist can assess your child, ensuring a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan to help your child develop skills to decrease intrusive symptoms. Therapy can help them to learn how to control intense emotions, improve social interactions, find a sense of self-worth and confidence, and improve their functioning. Since family involvement can be critical, they can help you to further understand ODD, so you can better help and support your child. They can even recommend or assist you by providing parental skills training and family therapy.

ODD can wreak havoc in the life and health of your child, it may be best to find help now from a caring therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services in Cameron, NC – on Hwy 87, near Linden Oaks. Call today to schedule an appointment!