ODD

Defiance is something that EVERY parent knows all too well from the moment your child understands and makes use of the word NO there you have it- DEFIANCE. ODD presents far ahead of normal typical defiance however and can be incredibly difficult to manage, especially in a positive manner.

There's no known clear cause of oppositional defiant disorder. Contributing causes may be a combination of inherited and environmental factors, including:

·    Genetics — a child's natural disposition or temperament and possibly               neurobiological differences in the way nerves and the brain function.

·   Environment — problems with parenting that may involve a lack of           supervision, inconsistent or harsh discipline, or abuse or neglect

Risk factors

Oppositional defiant disorder is a complex problem. Possible risk factors for ODD include:

·  Temperament — a child who has a temperament that includes difficulty regulating emotions, such as being highly emotionally reactive to situations or having trouble tolerating frustration

·  Parenting issues — a child who experiences abuse or neglect, harsh or inconsistent discipline, or a lack of parental supervision

·   Other family issues — a child who lives with parent or family discord or has a parent with a mental health or substance use disorder

·  Environment — oppositional and defiant behaviors can be strengthened and reinforced through attention from peers and inconsistent discipline from other authority figures, such as teachers.

Many children and teens with ODD also have other mental health disorders, such as:

·         Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

·         Conduct disorder

·         Depression

·         Anxiety

·         Learning and communication disorders

Symptoms present as follows:

Angry and irritable mood:

·         Often and easily loses temper

·         Is frequently touchy and easily annoyed by others

·         Is often angry and resentful

Argumentative and defiant behavior:

·         Often argues with adults or people in authority

·         Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules

·         Often deliberately annoys or upsets people

·         Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior

Vindictiveness:

·         Is often spiteful or vindictive