Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Causes

The cause is not known. It may be a mix of genes, family, and social factors.

Child's Brain

A chemical imbalance in the brain may be responsible for ODD.

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Risk Factors

This problem is more common in males. Other things that may raise a child's risk are:

• Having other people in the family who have the same problems
• Having a parent with a mood disorder or learning or substance misuse problems
• Having a mother who used alcohol, smoked, or had a poor diet while pregnant
• Problems with how the family works at home
• Prior child abuse
• Lack of parent attention

Symptoms

A child's problems start at around 8 years old. They tend to get worse as time goes on.

Children with ODD often:

• Argue with adults
• Lose their tempers
• Do not follow what an adult tells them to do
• Annoy others on purpose
• Are annoyed by others
• Are angry and bitter
• Are spiteful or want to get back at others
• Blame others for their own mistakes
• Have low self-esteem

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and health history. You, your child's teachers, and relatives may be asked about the problems your child is having. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

The goal is to stop problem behaviors. Choices are:

• Parent training
• Individual or group counseling to help children learn to express and control anger
• Social skills training to help a child get along better with peers
• Medicines may be used with other treatments to help ease certain symptoms, such as mood swings

Prevention

Early treatment for behavioral problems may lower the risk of ODD.