Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a psychological condition found among school-aged children. It can be found in both sexes, but often strikes boys at an earlier age. It is a behavioral disorder that is characterized by negative, hostile behaviors aimed particularly at authority figures. Treatment is available, and a parent dealing with a child with ODD can also benefit from training and support.
Disobedience
While all children are disobedient from time to time, the child with oppositional defiant disorder has a pattern of disobeying authority. A younger child may reply with a "no" to being told what to do, while an older child may argue about a rule until the parent is exhausted. The stubbornness is greater than that found among his peers.
Poor School Performance
The child with ODD is often an academic underachiever. She may receive failing grades or barely pass her classes. She may procrastinate and turn in homework late or not at all. A younger child may be tardy, while an older child may cut classes or avoid school entirely.
Frequent Anger
The typical child with ODD seems angry a good deal of the time. A small stimulus can produce a resentful response; the child may be vindictive toward parents and others. "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing" describes temper tantrums as one common symptom. This may play out in an older child as kicking the family pet, destroying objects or shoving someone.
Poor Relations With Peers
The child may bully other children and deliberately annoy siblings. He may cause physical fights at school or around his neighborhood. He may have no friends or one or two friends who also seem to have a negative attitude. The child may be careless with the belongings of others, losing his brother's electronic equipment or breaking his new CD.
Blames Others
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that the child with oppositional defiant disorder often blames others for her behavior. When questioned on why she didn't do her homework, she may blame her teacher for not explaining it was due. When questioned why she didn't clean her room, she may explain that her mother expects too much of her. She may claim that the sister she slapped "was being a brat." The child consistently refuses to take responsibility for her own actions.
Severe Symptoms
According to "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing," severe symptoms include bedwetting beyond age 5 and refusing to speak. A child beyond age 5 who begins to have bowel movements in his clothing may be experiencing severe ODD. Refusal to eat, running away from home and dangerous acting-out behaviors may signal severe oppositional defiant disorder.
References
- "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice"; Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Children With Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Mayo Clinic: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
