Oppositional Defiance Disorder Facts

Oppositional defiance disorder, or ODD, is a disorder in which children become hostile and uncooperative in an abnormal pattern. While such behavior is common and natural in toddlerhood as well as pre-adolescence and adolescence, ODD encompasses more extreme behavior outside of the typical age range for these behaviors. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), between one and 16 percent of children have ODD. The estimate given by the Mayo Clinic is that about 10 percent of children are affected by this disorder.

Symptoms of ODD

Symptoms of ODD are often described as ongoing hostility and anger towards adults or those in authority. These can include temper tantrums, frequent arguing, defiance, refusal to cooperate with reasonable requests, anger, resentment and hateful language. These symptoms must be consistent, have lasted six months or longer, and usually interfere with the child's daily life.

Risk Factors

There are some factors that can not be controlled, such as genetics and family history of ODD or ADHD. Other factors can be reduced or avoided. These include abuse, neglect, harsh discipline, inconsistency with discipline, exposure to violence, and substance abuse on the part of a parent or the child himself. Changes within the family, such as frequent moves or divorce, can also contribute to the development of ODD.

According to the AACAP, ODD is usually diagnosed in preschool- or elementary-school-aged children. In children who are school-aged, an equal number of boys and girls exhibit the symptoms of ODD. In preschool-aged children, however, boys are more commonly affected. While this disorder can affect children of any socioeconomic group, those who come from more disadvantaged homes may be more likely to develop ODD.

Treatment

Sometimes, especially if ODD presents with other disorders, such as ADHD or anxiety, medications can be helpful in treating ODD. Some medications that have been helpful in some children are Risperdal, Clozaril, Abilify and Seroquel. Children with both ODD and ADHD may benefit from taking Ritalin. Medication is never the only treatment for this disorder, as family support is extremely important in helping children to overcome ODD.

Counseling for the child as well as his parents is recommended. Parent-management training is also very important to help the parents and the child learn different behaviors. Some behaviors that parents can adopt can be helpful to the child. These include using timeouts to help the child regain control, modeling correct behavior, remaining positive and calm, and creating a routine or schedule to help the child know what is expected and when.

The AACAP says that 67 percent of children will successfully overcome ODD with treatment. Approximately 30 percent, however, will develop a conduct disorder that may last into adulthood. Children who were diagnosed with ODD very early in life, as well as those with ADHD or anxiety disorders, tend to have more struggles in overcoming behavior and mood disorders than those who were diagnosed later in childhood. About 10 percent of children who suffer from ODD will develop lasting disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder.