Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) continually display disrespect, anger, and other negative behaviors. If a child you care for has ODD symptoms, reach out to Leon Sankofa, Sr., MSW, at Family & Youth Foundations in Hampton and Danville, Virginia. Dr. Sankofa and his team specialize in treating behavioral disorders in children and teens. Call Family & Youth Foundations today or book an appointment online to get your child the help they need managing ODD.

What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

Children with ODD (or oppositional child disorder) are frequently angry, irritable, and refuse to do as authority figures like parents and teachers ask them.

It’s unclear what causes ODD, but genetics and a child’s environment might play a part. ODD tends to affect children raised without supervision and discipline, but this is far from the only cause.

ODD can affect friendships, family life, and school performance. But with early diagnosis and treatment at Family & Youth Foundations, you can help the child engage in positive social relationships and reduce their problem behaviors.

What symptoms does ODD cause?

ODD symptoms include:

• Answering back aggressively
• Finding others annoying
• Being argumentative
• Not doing as asked
• Upsetting people on purpose
• Blaming others for their behavior
• Making unreasonable demands
• Meanness
• Bullying

Some children with ODD only misbehave in specific settings, like in class or church. Others constantly display these unwanted behaviors at home and in public. ODD behaviors are upsetting and frustrating for parents and other family members, who often struggle to cope with the affected child.

How is ODD diagnosed?

To diagnose ODD, the Family & Youth Foundations team reviews their medical history and completes a general health assessment. Next is a thorough psychological evaluation. This includes talking to caregivers and the child about their behavior, the specific problems experienced, and how often they display problem behaviors.

ODD symptoms can be similar to those of other developmental or mental health conditions, including:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Conduct disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)
• Trauma

These are distinct conditions, but some symptoms overlap. The Family & Youth Foundations team uses their considerable experience and knowledge to determine which disorder a child has. They can then prescribe the most effective treatment.

How is ODD treated?

ODD treatment usually combines counseling with family-based interventions. The Family & Youth Foundations team also offers hypnotherapy, a safe, gentle method to help a child relax. The aim is to reduce emotional outburst frequency and intensity and promote healthy interactions.

Effective treatments for ODD involve:

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Cognitive problem-solving training
• Social skills training
• Parent or caregiver training
• Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

Children with ODD don’t generally need medication unless they have other mental health conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or depression.

Call Family & Youth Foundations today or book an appointment online to benefit from the team’s expertise in diagnosing and treating ODD.