What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?

Is your child particularly difficult to handle? Do they get unusually angry and have frequent tantrums? Do they follow the rules you make, or try to harm others? If this sounds like your child and they've been behaving this way for 6 months, they may have ODD.

What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

All children can be difficult at times, and won't always do as you ask. They may play up or have tantrums, or start flexing their independence a little.

However, ODD behaviour is more intense and extreme than usual child behaviour. It's constant difficult behaviour. Signs of it include:

Losing their temper frequently
Being easily irritated/ annoyed
Arguing with parents/ teachers
Ignoring rules
Blaming others for things
Deliberately upsetting or annoying others
Vindictiveness
Anger and irritability.

All children might display some of these signs from time to time, but constant/ frequent behaviour of the types described above can be indicative of ODD.

The ripple effect

Trying to cope with ODD behaviour can cause difficulties and friction between parent and child over time. Frustrations in day to life caused by coping with difficult behaviour can result in hostility.

Furthermore, the stress levels of parents of children with ODD can be high. Daily incidents and managing outbursts is difficult and demanding.

What causes ODD?

The cause of ODD isn't known, but a number of factors are thought to play a part:

ODD has been linked to neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain not working in the way they should. Because of this, some messages do not make it through the brain, as nerve cells aren't communicating with each other properly.
Injuries or defects in the brain have also been found to cause behavioural problems.
A lot of children with ODD have family members who suffer from mental health conditions. Dysfunction in the family home is also shown to play a part.
Lastly, children who struggle to control their temper may develop ODD.

How is ODD diagnosed?

If you suspect your child may have ODD you should arrange a GP appointment to talk about it together with your doctor. They can then refer your child on to CAMHS (child and adolescent health services) who can help further.

How is ODD treated?

ODD can be treated via talking therapies, which can help your child find ways to manage their emotions better. Medication may also help if there are associated mental health concerns.

How parents can help with ODD behaviour

Praising positive behaviour can help redress the balance so that your child doesn't feel that all they hear is negative talk. It can also encourage them to behave well in order to receive more praise.
Give clear instructions- e.g. 'Please put your books on the book shelf' rather than 'Tidy your room'. This helps your child understand exactly what you want them to do and have a better chance of succeeding.
Spend some time 1-1 every day doing something together. This helps build your bond and encourages good behaviour.
Teach your child that there are no 'wrong' emotions- it's ok to feel angry- but their actions must not damage belongings or hurt others.
Let some things go. To avoid battling over every little thing, try to let some of the smaller, more insignificant challenges go- e.g. not eating using a knife and fork- and focus on the bigger difficulties.

Find out more about our parenting support services here.

Find out more about mental health and our counselling service here.