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Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral
and emotional disorder of childhood or adolescence
that is characterized by a repeated pattern of hostile,
negative, and disobedient behavior towards authority
figures without seriously violating the rules of society or
the rights of others. Adolescence is a period of life
ranging from puberty to adulthood. Puberty is the period
of life in which the ability to reproduce begins, which
usually begins between the ages of 11 and 13.
 
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HOW IS OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER DIAGNOSED?

To diagnose Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a pattern of hostile, negative, and
disobedient behavior must last 6 months, during which at least 4 of the following signs
and symptoms are present:

1) A frequent loss of temper.
2) Frequently arguing with adults.
3) Frequently being angry and resentful.
4) Frequently annoying people on purpose.
5) Frequently being touchy or easily annoyed by others.
6) Frequently blaming others for personal mistakes or behaviors.
7) Frequently refusing to comply with rules or the requests of adults.
8) Frequently be vengeful (seeking revenge) or doing something to deliberately annoy or
thwart people.
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The above patterns of behavior must occur more frequently than is
normally observed in children of similar ages and developmental
level. It also needs to be kept in mind that many preschool age
children (usually ages 3 to 5) and adolescents (usually teenagers)
have brief periods of oppositional behavior that are normal.

A well-known example of this oppositional behavior that occurs
between age 18 and 24 months is known as the "terrible twos."

Normal oppositional behavior needs to be kept in mind so that
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is not over diagnosed.
Another fact to keep in mind is that 16% to 22% of normal school-age children engage in oppositional
behavior. Thus, oppositional behavior may be developmentally normal in early children. It is when the
oppositional behavior is significantly greater than what would normally be expected in other children of the
same age that a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder is appropriate.

To diagnose Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the disturbed behavior must cause a significant impairment in
social, academic, or occupational (related to working) functioning. For oppositional defiant disorder to be
diagnosed, the behaviors cannot occur only during the course of a mood disorder (such as Major
Depressive Disorder) or a psychotic disorder. A psychotic disorder is one in which there is an impairment
in dealing with reality and coping with the demands of everyday life.

Oppositional defiant disorder should not be diagnosed if the child meets the criteria for Conduct Disorder.
Conduct Disorder is a more serious behavioral and emotional disorder, which includes problems such as
setting fires, physically harming animals, and physically harming people. If the person is under age 18,
Conduct Disorder should not be diagnosed if the child meets the criteria for Antisocial Personality
Disorder. Antisocial Personality Disorder is a more serious behavioral and emotional disorder that
involves a pattern of disregarding the rights of others since age15.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE CRITERIA FOR DIAGNOSING OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT
DISORDER MENTIONED ABOVE?

Examples of negative and defiant behavior are stubbornness, not following directions, arguing with adults,
and not being willing to compromise with adults or children of the same age or grade. Some children with
Oppositional Defiant Disorder may purposely try to push the limits of others by ignoring orders, arguing,
and not accepting responsibility for doing something wrong.

Examples of hostility directed at adults or children of the same age or grade are temper tantrums,
purposely annoying others, and verbal aggression, such as teasing (usually without serious physical
aggression). Most children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder do not believe that their oppositional
behavioral and emotional responses are problematic. Rather, they find them to be appropriate responses
to the unreasonable demands of others or of certain situations.

The behavioral and emotional problems that are part of Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually occur with
someone the individual knows well. This means that it may be difficult for someone (such as a
psychologist) evaluating the individual to see the behavioral and emotional problems in person.

WHAT ARE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

Common characteristics of Oppositional Defiant Disorder are different depending on the child's age and
the seriousness of the problem. Most children with this disorder have adequate intelligence. For males,
this disorder has been found to occur more among those who, in the preschool years (usually ages 3 to
5), tend to have problematic emotional responses such as being overly sensitive or having a difficult time
being comforted.

For school age children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, they tend to have unstable moods, low self-
esteem, a tendency to curse, and are easily frustrated. They also tend to use illegal drugs, alcohol, and
tobacco earlier than most people who use such substances. They have many conflicts with teachers,
parents, and children of the same age or grade. The behavior of children with Oppositional Defiant
Disorder may upset the parents, who may then respond by engaging in behavior that upsets the child. This
can lead to a vicious cycle that lasts for a long time.

Many children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder come from families in which there are too many different
caregivers, or from families in which strict, inconsistent, or neglectful behavior is present. Neglect refers
to when a parent or guardian fails or is unable to provide the minimal level of physical and emotional care
for someone dependent on him/her, in this case a child. It is common for children with Oppositional Defiant
Disorder to have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder is also
associated with Learning Disorders and Communication Disorders.

WHAT ARE COMMON CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

One obvious consequence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder is poor relationships with others and/or a lack
of friends. In addition, children with this disorder often have difficulty in school. Poor school performance
in children with this disorder is usually not due to poor intelligence. Rather they have difficulty relating to
teachers (authority figures), refuse to obey teachers, do not participate in class, and refuse to let others
help them solve problems. The consequence of the child's poor school performance can be low self-
esteem, low frustration, depressed mood, and temper tantrums. Adolescents may abuse alcohol, tobacco,
and illegal drugs. Oppositional Defiant Disorder often develops into a more serious behavior disorder
known as Conduct Disorder. It also commonly develops into a Mood Disorder.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

Studies estimated that anywhere between 2% and 16% of people have Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
These ranges depend on the sample of people studies and the methods used in the study.

WHEN DOES OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER BEGIN?

Oppositional Defiant Disorder can begin as early as age three. It usually is detectable by age 8 and
usually does not occur any later than early adolescence (about age 11 to 13). This disorder usually begins
slowly, over the course of months or years. The problems in Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually are
seen at home but can occur in other places such as school or in the local community. In many cases,
Oppositional Defiant Disorder occurs before Conduct Disorder, a more serious pattern of problems
discussed above.

ARE MALES MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER THAN FEMALES?

Yes and no. Before puberty, males are more likely to develop Oppositional Defiant Disorder. After puberty,
males and females have about the same likelihood of developing this disorder. Puberty is the period of life
in which the ability to reproduce begins. Puberty usually begins between the ages of 11 and 13. The
symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder are generally the same in males and females, although males
may be more confrontational and have symptoms that last longer.

WHAT CAUSES OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

No one knows for sure what the cause of Oppositional Defiant Disorder is. A biological factor is possible,
considering that many of these children tend to have problematic emotional responses as infants, such as
being overly sensitive or having a difficult time being comforted. In addition, many of these children have
been reported to be very assertive, have strong preferences, and a strong will before the behavioral and
emotional pattern of Oppositional Defiant Disorder becomes apparent.

Many parents may unknowingly strengthen oppositional behavior by reacting to their child in certain ways.
An example would be when a parent lets a child have a piece of candy after having a temper tantrum. This
behavior (the temper tantrum) is now strengthened because the child got what he/she wanted. The
chances have now been increased that the next time the child wants a piece of candy, he/she will have a
temper tantrum as a means to get it. Increased attention from parents is another way that oppositional
behavior is reinforced.

In late childhood, problems such as trauma, illness, or mental retardation may lead to the development of
Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a way to defend against feelings of helplessness, nervousness, and low
self-esteem. Other potential causal factors listed in response to the question below are also thought to
contribute to the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Please keep in mind that what leads to the
development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder may not be one of these factors, but a combination of them.

DO CHILDREN IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FAMILIES DEVELOP OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

Many families of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder are too controlling of the child and/or
overreact to normal oppositional behavior. This is problematic because it is a normal part of the
developmental process for a young child (and a teenager) to assert his/her independence. If the child is
not allowed to assert this independence, he/she can become defensive and oppositional. If Oppositional
Defiant Disorder develops, it appears to cause more stress to those around the child than to the child with
the disorder.

In some cases, the child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder is simply unwanted. Also, parents who engage
in strong verbal and physical punishment of their child increase the risk of oppositional behavior occurring,
such as aggression. Many families have several stubborn children, and this increases the chances of a
child developing Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Some research has suggested that mothers with a history of a Depressive Disorder are more likely to
have children who engage in oppositional behavior. However, the relationship between the mother's
depression and the oppositional behavior of the child is unclear at this time. That is, it is not clear to what
degree a mother's depression causes oppositional behavior in children or if oppositional behavior in
children results from the mother's depression. Parents who are having serious marriage problems are
more likely to have children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder seems to be more common in families in which at least one parent who has
a history of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a Mood Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a
Substance(drug)-Related Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. See the end of
the answer to the 2nd question for a brief explanation of Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality
Disorder. As one can imagine, when one or two parents have one or more of the above problems, life at
home is likely going to be more abnormal for a child in that environment.

HOW IS OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER TREATED?

The main way that Oppositional Defiant Disorder is treated is through individual psychotherapy (a
psychological therapy done through talking). Psychotherapy is also done with the parents of the individual
with Oppositional Defiant Disorder so that they are better trained at managing their child's problems. A
type of psychotherapy called behavior therapy involves teaching the parents how to change their child's
problematic behavior and how to encourage better behavior. This is done by strengthening and praising
appropriate behavior and ignoring or not strengthening poor behavior. Psychotherapy is usually done by a
psychologist.

It is very important for the child to have a good relationship with the treating therapist in order for strict
and difficult family patterns to change. One of the keys is for the child to see the therapist as a non-
controlling person. If this occurs, the child can express him/herself more directly and can learn how his/her
behavior is self-destructive. In the child's relationship with the therapist, he/she can learn new ways to
develop a sense of mastery and success in social situations with family and with individuals of the same
age and grade. It is important for self-esteem to be raised during psychotherapy.

It is also important for harsh punishment of the child to be eliminated and replaced with more positive
parent-child interactions, such as talking. The parents should also increase their involvement in the child's
life in a positive way.

WHAT EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO CHILDREN WITH OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

What eventually happens to children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder depends on the seriousness of
the disorder, the willingness of the family to change, the presence of other existing mental disorders, and
whether they receive treatment. Generally, about 25% of children who are diagnosed with Oppositional
Defiant Disorder do not meet the criteria for this diagnosis within the next several years after being
diagnosed. For patients in whom the diagnosis continues, many go on to have more serious behavioral
problems.

WHAT ELSE IS OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER KNOWN AS?

Oppositional defiant disorder is also known as oppositional disorder.

HOW CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER?

An excellent source of information on Oppositional Defiant Disorder is Internet Mental Health, where you
will find information on treatment, relevant research, booklets, and magazine articles.