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Help Your Teenager
All children are oppositional from time to time, particularly when tired, hungry, stressed or upset. They may argue, talk back, disobey, and defy parents, teachers, and other adults. Oppositional behavior is often a normal part of development for adolescents. However, audacious un-cooperative and hostile behavior becomes a serious concern when it is so frequent and consistent that it stands out when compared with other children of the same age. And it is more serious when it affects the child’s social, family, and academic life. It is termed as Oppositional Defiant Disorder
(ODD).
ODD is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by two different sets of problems. They are aggressiveness and a tendency to purposefully bother and irritate others. When ODD is present with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), depression, anxiety disorders, or other neuro-psychiatric disorders, it makes life of that child far more difficult. For Example. ADHD plus ODD is much worse than ADHO alone, often enough to make people seek treatment.
ODD is usually diagnosed when your child has a persistent or consistent pattern of disobedience and hostility towards parents, teachers, or other adults. The primary behavioral difficulty is the persistent refusals to follow commands or requests by adults.
Symptoms of ODD may include:
• Stubbornness
• Easily annoyed
• Losing one’s temper
• Arguing with adults
• Refusal to comply with rules and directions
• Blaming others for their mistakes.
• Openly defying requests
The symptoms are usually seen in multiple settings, but may be more noticeable at home or at school. The causes of ODD are unknown. But many parents report that their child with ODD was more rigid and demanding than the child’s siblings from an early age. Biological and environmental factors may have a role. Family instability: including economic stress, parental mental illness, harsh punitive behaviors, inconsistent parenting practices and divorce may also contribute to the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The Criteria for ODD are met only when the problem behavior occurs more frequently in the child than in other children of the same age. These behaviors cause significant difficulties in family and with friends. the oppositional behavior is the same both at home and in school. Sometimes ODD may be a precursor of a conduct disorder.
Risk factors include:
Family Conflict
Academic failure in school
Friends who engage in alcohol and drug use, delinquent behavior, violence, or other problem behaviors
Peer rejection
Family history of a problem behavior
Favorable parental attitudes to problem behavior
Witnessing family violence
Treatment
Parent Training programs to do help manage the child's behavior
Individual Psychotherapy for effective anger management
Family Psychotherapy to your improve communication
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to assist problem solving and decrease negativity
Social Skills Training to Increase Flexibility and Improve frustration tolerance with peers.
A child with ODD can be very difficult for parents. these parents need support and understanding. Parents can help their child with ODD in the following ways:
Always build on the positives. Show appreciation and positive reinforcement when S/He shows Flexibility or cooperation.
Take a time-out or break if you are about to make the conflict with your child worse. Support your child if S/He decides to take a time-out to prevent overreacting.
Pick your battles. Since the child with ODD has trouble avoiding struggles, prioritize the things you want your child to do. If you give your child a time-out in his room for misbehavior, don't add time for arguing. Say "Your time will start when you go to your room."
Set up reasonable and appropriate limits with consequences that can be enforced consistently.
Maintain interests other than your child doesn't take all your time and energy. Try to work with and obtain support from the other adults (teachers, coaches, and spouse) dealing with your child.
Manage your own stress through exercise and relaxation. Many children with ODD will respond to the positive parenting techniques. Parents may also ask their pediatrician or family physician to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist who can diagnose and treat. ODD and any other co-existing psychiatric condition.