oppositional defiant disorder (odd)
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood disorder that is defined by a pattern of hostile, disobedient, and defiant behaviors directed at adults or other authority figures. ODD is also characterized by children displaying angry and irritable moods, as well as argumentative and vindictive behaviors.
What is oppositional defiant disorder?
It is normal for children to be oppositional and defiant at least some of the time. In fact, it’s a sign of healthy development. So when does a child have oppositional defiant disorder? The diagnosis should not be given, for example, to a toddler who has just discovered that her new favorite word is “no.”
ODD is typically diagnosed around early primary school ages and normally stops being diagnosed around adolescence. Children who have ODD have a well-established pattern of behavior problems. Symptoms include:
Conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are the diagnostic terms for those types of long-lasting, aggressive and defiant behaviours that are extreme.
Another hallmark of ODD is the toll it takes on family relationships. Regular daily frustrations — ignored commands, arguments, explosive outbursts — build up over time, and these negative interactions damage the parent-child bond and reinforce hostile patterns of behavior.
ADHD and other risk factors
There is a very high overlap in kids who have ADHD who are also diagnosed with ODD. Depending on various studies, the overlap could be 30 to 50 percent of kids with ADHD also have ODD.
Another pathway into developing ODD has more to do with a child’s temperament and might be apparent early on. Children who had a lot of difficulty soothing themselves as toddlers and continue to struggle with an age-appropriate ability to control their emotions in the face of disappointment or frustration can sometimes develop ODD. The adults in their environment might be more inclined to accommodate their demands in order to keep the family functioning as harmoniously as possible.
Children who have experienced a lot of life stress and trauma are also more likely to develop ODD.
How is ODD diagnosed?
The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) describes CD as including many of the following: severe fighting, aggressiveness, bullying, cruelty to animals or other people, theft, fire setting, severe destruction of property, persistent and severe lying, truancy from school, severe disobedience or extreme or very frequent tantrums. These behaviours must have persisted for six months or more for CD to be diagnosed.
Parents and teachers can do a great deal to reduce negative and antisocial behaviour in children. It is important to play with children regularly in a warm, non-directive and interested way. Praise, verbal and through hugs and affectionate touches, is important to encourage positive behaviours. Instructions and commands given to children should be clear and specific. It is important to set limits and stick to these in a calm and predictable manner. These positive parenting strategies are helpful if used consistently from an early age and can help reduce antisocial behaviours in older children.
If you would like more information:
Visit the Child Mind website: childmind.org/article/what-is-odd-oppositional-defiant-disorder/
Visit the CONTACT website: contact.org.uk/medical-information/conditions/c/conduct-disorder-and-oppositional-defiant-disorder/
Source: Child Mind - March 2017:
It is normal for children to be oppositional and defiant at least some of the time. In fact, it’s a sign of healthy development. So when does a child have oppositional defiant disorder? The diagnosis should not be given, for example, to a toddler who has just discovered that her new favorite word is “no.”
ODD is typically diagnosed around early primary school ages and normally stops being diagnosed around adolescence. Children who have ODD have a well-established pattern of behavior problems. Symptoms include:
- Being unusually angry and irritable
- Frequently losing their temper
- Being easily annoyed
- Arguing with authority figures
- Refusing to follow rules
- Deliberately annoying people
- Blaming others for mistakes
- Being vindictive
Conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are the diagnostic terms for those types of long-lasting, aggressive and defiant behaviours that are extreme.
Another hallmark of ODD is the toll it takes on family relationships. Regular daily frustrations — ignored commands, arguments, explosive outbursts — build up over time, and these negative interactions damage the parent-child bond and reinforce hostile patterns of behavior.
ADHD and other risk factors
There is a very high overlap in kids who have ADHD who are also diagnosed with ODD. Depending on various studies, the overlap could be 30 to 50 percent of kids with ADHD also have ODD.
Another pathway into developing ODD has more to do with a child’s temperament and might be apparent early on. Children who had a lot of difficulty soothing themselves as toddlers and continue to struggle with an age-appropriate ability to control their emotions in the face of disappointment or frustration can sometimes develop ODD. The adults in their environment might be more inclined to accommodate their demands in order to keep the family functioning as harmoniously as possible.
Children who have experienced a lot of life stress and trauma are also more likely to develop ODD.
How is ODD diagnosed?
The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) describes CD as including many of the following: severe fighting, aggressiveness, bullying, cruelty to animals or other people, theft, fire setting, severe destruction of property, persistent and severe lying, truancy from school, severe disobedience or extreme or very frequent tantrums. These behaviours must have persisted for six months or more for CD to be diagnosed.
Parents and teachers can do a great deal to reduce negative and antisocial behaviour in children. It is important to play with children regularly in a warm, non-directive and interested way. Praise, verbal and through hugs and affectionate touches, is important to encourage positive behaviours. Instructions and commands given to children should be clear and specific. It is important to set limits and stick to these in a calm and predictable manner. These positive parenting strategies are helpful if used consistently from an early age and can help reduce antisocial behaviours in older children.
If you would like more information:
Visit the Child Mind website: childmind.org/article/what-is-odd-oppositional-defiant-disorder/
Visit the CONTACT website: contact.org.uk/medical-information/conditions/c/conduct-disorder-and-oppositional-defiant-disorder/
Source: Child Mind - March 2017: