Have you heard of oppositional defiant disorder, also known as ODD? It is a type of disorder that begins during childhood and causes a great deal of discord between the individual and those around them. ODD causes a person to be defiant and at odds with loved ones, friends, schoolmates, and others. Many parents do not recognize ODD symptoms in their children and instead approach the situation as merely needing to provide more punishment for their actions.
Our mental health expert staff members at Montare Behavioral Health in Tucson understand that oppositional defiant disorder is a real condition that requires specialized treatment. This condition may start in childhood and carry over into adulthood. We can treat people with ODD through the specific use of different types of therapy and structured support round-the-clock.
What is ODD?
Oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by regular defiant behavior toward others. The individual will be disobedient, even when it’s in their best interest to take a different approach. They will exhibit anger and hostile behavior, particularly toward adults and authority figures like teachers.
Someone with ODD does not accept blame for how they act. Instead, they believe others instigate situations that require them to rebel or misbehave. Parents and teachers often find themselves frustrated and tired of the constant challenges to their authority. They cannot seem to find a middle ground with the child, nor does the young person express regret for their attitudes and actions.
Someone with ODD as a child often goes on to develop another mental health disorder or a substance use disorder.
Is ODD Hereditary?
ODD may be hereditary, especially if a close relative has this same mental health disorder. While many people with a parent or other close relative with ODD also develop it, it is not guaranteed that they will.
Causes of ODD
ODD may occur as a result of a person’s family genes. However, other causal factors may be at work. When a person’s brain chemistry is different than others, the change in levels of neurotransmitters can influence oppositional behavior. Other risk factors for developing ODD include growing up in a violent, neglectful, or dysfunctional home. Kids who come of age witnessing or being the victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or verbal abuse can become a child with ODD.
Can Adults Have ODD?
Adults can have ODD, but it typically starts when they are children. Without treatment, they become defiant adults and have difficulty making their way through higher education and career paths. They also find it hard to be in a healthy romantic relationship or friendship due to their constant rebelliousness and hostility toward others.
Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A person who has ODD symptoms will display signs of it. It can be difficult for a parent, another family member, or an educator to recognize the difference between a headstrong, sometimes angry child and one who has ODD.
Childhood Symptoms of ODD
Kids who have ODD will show signs including:
- Argumentative
- Aggressive behavior
- Difficulty having friendships
- Fights with siblings and other family members
- Repeatedly telling an authority figure “No!”
- Breaking rules at home and in school
- Being called to the principal’s office at school
- Not taking responsibility or expressing remorse for their behavior
- Seeing every situation as the individual being right and justified while the other person is wrong
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Often frustrated and unable to communicate effectively with others
Adult Symptoms of ODD
Adults who display ODD symptoms may not still be rebelling against their parents or teachers, but many of the symptoms as a grown-up are the same. Adults with ODD are openly hostile and defiant against people in positions of power as well as colleagues and friends. They act aggressively, start arguments, and anger quickly. They blame others for their own behaviors and take no responsibility for acting aggressively.
How is ODD Treated for Adults and Children?
Treatment for children with ODD begins with an exam by their physician. A discussion with the parents will cover topics like the child’s physical health, how they act and react in a variety of situations, and if they have any co-occurring mental health disorders.
Treatment for the child will include individual therapy with a licensed child therapist but will also involve the parents in other therapeutic approaches. During Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), the therapist supervises the interaction between the parents and child to help teach moms and dads more effective ways of communicating and handling situations. The child may also engage in social skills training to help them develop healthier and more positive ways of being around others.
Family therapy brings the whole family together to learn how the child experiences their illness and what they can and cannot control currently. The family members learn to support their loved ones while also ensuring that the child works on their new social skills and therapeutic training.
Adults with ODD can also benefit from individual and family therapy. Many therapists recommend Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for adults. Both types of therapy promote learning to connect a person’s thoughts and emotions with their behaviors. They can learn to change negative actions to positive ones and feel more emotionally balanced.
Contact Montare Tucson About Our ODD Treatment for Adults
If you recognize ODD symptoms in yourself or someone you love, you likely want to look for effective help. Being trapped in a world full of habitual defiant behavior limits a person’s ability to experience joy, peace of mind, and healthy interpersonal relationships. Montare Behavioral Health in Tucson provides residential treatment that helps the individual take responsibility for their behavior and develop an intuition for how to get along with others. Our therapists provide safe and loving support and access to prescription drugs that can quell some of the symptoms of ODD.
Contact us now and find out more about how our experts treat ODD. We can explain how our program works and get you or someone you love enrolled quickly.
Published: 10/23/2024
