How Do You Deal With Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a conduct disorder in children and teens. The exact cause is unknown. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), biological and environmental factors may play a role. ODD is characterized by extreme defiance towards authority. Symptoms include anger, argumentative behavior, defiance and disobedience, becoming easily annoyed, temper tantrums, unwarranted placement of blame on others and vengeful behavior. While it is normal for youth to display these behaviors some of the time, excessive displays that consistently affect home and school life are not normal. Some mood disorders and chemical imbalances share the same behavioral symptoms as ODD. Because of this, a diagnosis should only be made by a licensed medical professional, who can perform diagnostic tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Doctors treat ODD with psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and family therapy. One aspect of family therapy is teaching pa
