Oppositional defiant disorder (patient information)
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Oppositional defiant disorder |
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Where to find medical care for Oppositional defiant disorder? |
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Oppositional defiant disorder On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Oppositional defiant disorder |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures.
What are the symptoms of Oppositional defiant disorder?
- Symptoms include:
- Actively does not follow adults' requests
- Angry and resentful of others
- Argues with adults
- Blames others for own mistakes
- Has few or no friends or has lost friends
- Is in constant trouble in school
- Loses temper
- Spiteful or seeks revenge
- Touchy or easily annoyed
- To fit this diagnosis, the pattern must last for at least 6 months and must be more than normal childhood misbehavior.
- The pattern of behaviors must be different from those of other children around the same age and developmental level.
- The behavior must lead to significant problems in school or social activities.
What causes Oppositional defiant disorder?
- This disorder is more common in boys than in girls.
- Some studies have shown that it affects 20% of school-age children. However, most experts believe this figure is high due to changing definitions of normal childhood behavior, and possible racial, cultural, and gender biases.
- This behavior typically starts by age 8, but it may start as early as the preschool years.
- This disorder is thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have concerns about your child's development or behavior.
Diagnosis
- Children with symptoms of this disorder should be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Diseases with similar symptoms
- In children and adolescents, the following conditions can cause similar behavior problems and should be considered as possibilities:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Learning disorders
- Substance abuse disorders
Treatment options
- The best treatment for the child is to talk with a mental health professional in individual and possibly family therapy. The parents should also learn how to manage the child's behavior.
- Medications may also be helpful, especially if the behaviors occur as part of another condition (such as depression, childhood psychosis, or [Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (patient information)|ADHD]]).
Where to find medical care for Oppositional defiant disorder?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Oppositional defiant disorder
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Some children respond well to treatment, while others do not.
Possible complications
- In many cases, children with oppositional defiant disorder grow up to have conduct disorder as teenagers or adults.
- In some cases children may grow up to have antisocial personality disorder.
Prevention
- Be consistent about rules and consequences at home.
- Don't make punishments too harsh or inconsistent.
- Model the right behaviors for your child.
- Abuse and neglect increase the chances that this condition will occur.