How can a child’s irritable mood, lack of awareness into how their behavior impacts others, and resistance towards engagement in unfavorable tasks be differentiated from age-appropriate/typical behavior to something more serious, like a clinical diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
What is ODD?
According to the DSM-V, a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized as “a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, or vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months as evidenced by at least 4 symptoms from these categories.” The DSM-V also outlines that to qualify for a diagnosis of ODD, the individual must demonstrate these symptoms during an interaction with at least one other person other than a sibling.
Warning signs for ODD include:
- Often loses temper
- Negative outlook/mood
- Defiance
- Disobedience
- Hostility towards authority figures
- Regular temper tantrums
- Blames others for his mistakes or misbehavior
- Does not comply with rules of tasks assigned by adult
- Spiteful or vindictive nature
- Enjoys annoying others and is easily annoyed themselves
Treatment for ODD includes clinical intervention and potential medication management to address related symptoms such as mood dysregulation or impulse control as resonate of an ADHD diagnosis. Parent training for education on how to effectively discipline and avoid power struggles, individual/family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy are all treatment modalities to holistically treat ODD.
