The adolescent years are often fraught with conflict and mood swings. Many teens are moody or defiant on occasion, but persistent tantrums, anger, or disruptive behavior could be signs of something more serious: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
Many of the symptoms of ODD appear to be what some consider “typical teen” behavior, but they are more severe and persist for at least six months, and are clearly disruptive to the family and school environments. Symptoms include the following:
- Negativity
- Defiance
- Disobedience
- Hostility toward authority figures
Oppositional Defiant Disorder impacts every aspect of a teen’s life, from friendships to academic performance. Several behaviors commonly exhibited by teens who have ODD include:
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Argumentativeness or outright refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
- Deliberately bothering or irritating other people
- Blaming others for mistakes or inappropriate behavior
- Acting touchy or easily annoyed
- Exhibiting excessive anger or resentment
- Spiteful or vindictive behavior
- Aggressiveness toward peers
- Difficulty maintaining relationships with peers
- Academic difficulties
These symptoms closely mimic those of substance abuse, and may be missed at first if the teen is also being treated for this condition. Furthermore, because ODD often occurs in conjunction with other disorders, particularly ADHD, anxiety, and depression, it is important to isolate and treat each condition.
Ideally, treatment involves cooperation among the teen’s primary care physician, mental health professional, and a psychologist who specializes in family therapy. A child development professional is also a valuable ally. The first step in the treatment of ODD is to screen for and treat any other disorders. Once other issues are addressed, overcoming the ODD can begin.
- The mental health professional can help parents to hone important skills like giving effective time-outs, choosing appropriate consequences for misbehavior, remaining calm in frustrating situations, and offering acceptable choices to the child.
- The mental health professional can help parents to hone important skills like giving effective time-outs, choosing appropriate consequences for misbehavior, remaining calm in frustrating situations, and offering acceptable choices to the child.
- The child should receive individual counseling, to work on anger management and practice effective interaction with an adult. The counselor will also act as a sounding board for the child, and will provide a place for the child to express frustration constructively.
- Family counseling is an equally important facet of the treatment process. Its purpose is to improve communication and relationships between family members. Family counseling also gives the family a place to build cooperation skills and voice frustration.
Central to all aspects of treatment is showing unconditional love and patience. Consistent support is necessary for a child who struggles with ODD. Hence, continued family involvement is critical. Since this can wear on even the most patient and loving parents, a comprehensive treatment plan, one that addresses the needs of the whole family, is the most effective strategy.
The information is provided for general reference purposes. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician.
