Causes of Oppositional Defiance Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) refers to a disruptive behavior disorder in children and teenagers that involves a persistent pattern of defiant, disobedient, uncooperative and hostile behaviors toward authority figures that occurs for a period of at least six months. Behaviors include: arguing with adults and disobeying requests; refusing to comply with rules of appropriate behavior; lack of self-regulation such as losing one's temper, being angered, resentful, spiteful or annoyed easily; shirks responsibility, and instead, blames others for his misbehavior; intentionally irritates authority figures and tests limits. Ultimately, the primary characteristic problem is recurrently defying adults and stubbornly refusing their requests.

Causes: Biological

There appears to be no single cause that overwhelmingly produces ODD, rather, ODD appears to involve the interaction of multiple factors. ODD occurs more frequently in boys with symptoms that usually manifest before 8 years of age. Data suggest that behavioral problems in children may occur as the result of injuries or defects in or injuries to the brain. Additionally, ODD is associated with abnormal amounts of chemicals known as neurotransmitters; basically, neurotransmitters enhance communication among neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Malfunction of this cellular communication process is associated with ODD symptoms. Also, other biological factors found in some aggressive or delinquent children and those diagnosed with ODD is a difficult temperament of the child, low physiological arousal (underarousal) in response to stimulation, and above normal levels of testosterone.

Causes: Genetics

The presentation of symptoms at such a young age leads to the examination of the potential role of hereditary factors in ODD. Many diagnosed individuals with ODD have a family history of mental illnesses; thus, these findings indicate that genetics may produce a predisposition or vulnerability to developing ODD. Also, familial tendencies exist for developing certain disruptive disorders that include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ODD, as well as substance abuse.

Other Factors

Other risk factors for developing ODD consist of co-morbid conditions, family environment factors, parental-child relationship issues that include poor parenting strategies. Many individuals diagnosed with ODD may have a history of other psychological conditions, for example ADHD, learning disorders, or anxiety and mood disorders that can have an impact on behavioral patterns. A stressful family environment that contains dysfunctional interactions, marital conflict or divorce, child abuse or violence also may influence behaviors typical for ODD. Lastly, problems in the parent-child relationship as well as inconsistent parenting, for example, inconsistency in rules or standards of acceptable behavior, as well as inconsistent or changing discipline, may play a role in the manifestation of ODD.