If your child or teen has frequent angry outbursts, acts defiantly, or constantly argues with adults, they may have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The Prescribing and Clinical Team, at Dare To Care Too in Largo, Maryland, have helped many children and parents overcome the disruptive behavioral challenges of ODD and regain a balanced, positive relationship. Call Dare To Care Too today or request an in-person or telehealth appointment online if you’re worried about your child’s behavior.

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What is ODD?

ODD is a behavioral disorder diagnosed in children and teens. All children are occasionally defiant, especially if they’re tired, hungry, or upset. And oppositional behavior is an expected part of normal development for 2-3 year olds and adolescents.

So what makes ODD different? The challenging behaviors in children with ODD are more severe and frequent than in other children their age.

Children with ODD exhibit an ongoing, consistent pattern of defiant, hostile, and uncooperative behavior lasting at least six months. ODD behaviors cause significant problems in their family, academic, and social life.

What symptoms occur in children with ODD?

The symptoms of ODD include:

  • Being easily annoyed
  • Having frequent temper tantrums
  • Excessively arguing with adults
  • Deliberately annoying others
  • Being actively defiant (refusing to comply with requests)
  • Blaming others for their behaviors
  • Being spiteful or vindictive (seeking revenge)
  • Using mean, hateful language when angry

ODD symptoms usually begin before a child turns eight, but they’re obvious no later than 12 years — children with ODD exhibit these challenging behaviors toward at least one person other than a sibling.

Despite their angry, threatening behaviors and constant conflict with adults, children with ODD are not typically aggressive and they don’t destroy property.

How is ODD treated?

Your Dare To Care Too provider learns about your child’s medical history and symptoms and completes an in-depth psychiatric evaluation. In addition to diagnosing ODD, they determine if your child has a co-occurring condition and rule-out other mental health disorders or developmental disabilities that could cause similar symptoms.

Your child’s treatment plan is based on their age and diagnosis. Treatment for ODD typically includes one or more of the following:

  • Cognitive problem-solving skills training
  • Parent-management training
  • Parent-child interaction therapy
  • Individual therapy (for the child or teen)
  • Social skills training
  • Family therapy

The Dare To Care Too team provides substantial support and guidance to parents. Parents must learn to respond to challenging behaviors and be prepared to consistently apply positive behavioral techniques at home.

Immediate, consistent discipline is also important, but parents usually need to learn new ways to discipline. Children with ODD don’t respond to typical disciplinary actions that work for other children.

Call Dare To Care Too or book an appointment online if you have any concerns about your children’s oppositional behaviors.