Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Sami Foreid
What is Oppositional Defiance Disorder?
Oppositional Defiance Disorder,(ODD), is a condition in which a child displays an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, disruptive, and annoying behavior towards people. The childs behavior often disrupts the childs normal daily activities at home and at school.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms that a child may experience ODD.
- Throwing repeated temper tantrums
- Excessively arguing with adults
- blame others for mistakes
- having frequent outbursts
- swearing and using obscene language
- being spiteful and seeks revenge
There are many reasons that can cause Oppositional Defiant Disorder
It could be Biological
Some studies suggest that defects or an injury to certain parts of the brain can cause serious behavioral problems in the children. ODD has been linked to abnormal functioning of certain types of brain chemicals. If those chemicals are not working right, messages may not make it through the brain causing symptoms of ODD or other mental illnesses.
It could come from Genetics
Many children and teens with ODD will have close family members with the same illness or other mental illnesses. That suggests that ODD may be inherited from family members.
It could be Environmental.
Developing ODD may be contributed by substance abuse, a family history of metal illnesses, or inconsistent discipline by parents.
Treatment
There are two ways that can be used when trying to treat ODD.
- Psychotherapy: its a type of counseling that is aimed at helping the child develop a better way of coping and expressing anger.
- Medication: There is no medication that is scientifically proven to treat ODD, but they can be used to help with ADHD and depression.
Places For Additional Help
Empowering Parents: Child Behavior Help
Empowering Parents is a website that can help parents understand more about the illness. It allows the parents to interact with other parents who's children are experiencing the same illness.
https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/parenting-odd-kids-advice-from-two-moms-whove-been-there/
Support Group
There is an Oppositional Defiant Disorder Support Group that people talk about their children and get help from other people having the same problems.