Even the best-behaved children can be difficult and challenging at times. But if your child or teen has a persistent pattern of tantrums, arguing, and angry or disruptive behavior toward you and other authority figures, he or she may have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Treatment of ODD involves therapy, training to help build positive family interactions, and possibly medications to treat related mental health conditions.

Signs of ODD generally begin before a child is 8 years old. Sometimes ODD may develop later, but almost always before the early teen years. When ODD behavior develops, the signs tend to begin gradually and then worsen over months or years. Your child may be displaying signs of ODD instead of normal moodiness if the behaviors:

  • Are persistent
  • Have lasted at least six months
  • Are clearly disruptive to the family and home or school environment

The following are behaviors associated with ODD:

  • Negativity
  • Defiance
  • Disobedience
  • Hostility directed toward authority figures

These behaviors might cause your child to regularly and consistently:

  • Have temper tantrums
  • Be argumentative with adults
  • Refuse to comply with adult requests or rules
  • Annoy other people deliberately
  • Blame others for mistakes or misbehavior
  • Act touchy and easily annoyed
  • Feel anger and resentment
  • Be spiteful or vindictive
  • Act aggressively toward peers
  • Have difficulty maintaining friendships
  • Have academic problems
  • Feel a lack of self-esteem

In addition, your child isn’t likely to see his or her behavior as defiant. Instead, your child will probably believe that unreasonable demands are being placed on him or her.

Oppositional defiant disorder often occurs along with other behavioral or mental health problems such as:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

The symptoms of ODD may be difficult to distinguish from those of other behavioral or mental health problems.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior or your own ability to parent a challenging child, give us a call today. We are here to help.

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Call for an appointment at one of our three  convenient locations:

Coon Rapids | 763-780-1520
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Chisago City | 651-257-2733
St. Louis Park | 763-780-1520

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