Sharmistha
Barai
Blog Post
Child Defiant Behavior - What is it, Exactly?
- By Satish Kartan
- •
- 27 Sep, 2017
- •
Defiant Child Behavior - more properly: "Oppositional Defiant Disorder" (or ODD) -- is quite a common behavior disorder of adolescents, and even in younger children. Frequent occurrences of several of the following behaviors will lead to the ODD diagnosis:
ODD can develop by age three, or even two. Occasional instances of the above behaviors should be expected in all children, so the question is whether the behavior is extreme and consistent. ODD is diagnosed if the child displays defiant behaviors such as the above so often that social relationships, school, and learning in general are interfered with.
What is the cause? There are two main theories. Some researchers think that ODD stems from the child never successfully making his way through the so-called "terrible twos." Other professionals feel that negative family interactions are the cause.
Defiant Child Behavior or ODD usually occurs along with ADD or ADHD or mood disorders such as depression or severe anxiety or bipolar disorder. Very often there are learning disorders as well. It's important to get a thorough evaluation to determine what else is going on, so you, the school, and a mental health professional can work together to construct a program which can deal with all aspects of the problem.
Some kids do outgrow ODD. In some children, ODD will mutate and become ADHD. Some children continue to have ODD, by itself, although this is not usual. Worst case, the defiant behaviors get worse, leading to the child's being diagnosed with the more serious "Conduct Disorder".
Opinions differ as to whether medication is useful. Ritalin has been found useful in a few, but not all studies where ADHD and ODD are both present. Researchers in one study found the mood stabilizer Divalproex effective in 80% of children. Another study showed Risperdal was effective in children with lower intelligence. Strattera, an alternative to Ritalin in the treatment of ADHD, was found help ODD/ADHD children in one study, but not in another. A recent pilot study found that Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E both helped somewhat.
Parent Management Training, (PMT), is viewed as the best treatment by most professionals. These programs teach parents better ways of reacting to both negative and positive behaviors. PMT is more effective when it's begun when the child is younger.
Part of the training is to teach parents to look beyond the defiance to try to discover any underlying problems, such as drugs, depression, new friends, or just misguided attempts to get attention.
Another emphasis of PMT training is seeking opportunities to praise the child at every opportunity, and to be interested in what's happening in the child's life, even if your overtures are rejected. It's important to offer to spend some time with your child, even when your offer is rarely accepted. Even when angry and defiant, your child doesn't want to feel ignored.
Remember that some defiance is normal-- even necessary. It's part of every adolescent's developmental task. They need to learn to test limits, make decisions, and think independently as they grow up. You have a terrific opportunity to teach your child how to develop these skills. It will likely be a difficult and tiring and frustrating struggle, but worth it.
There are lots of resources available at the library, at the bookstore, and on the web. It's worth your while to check some of them out, and to learn better parenting skills, and then to take the necessary time to implement the skills and techniques you learn. Take heart-- in most cases, all your hard work will gradually affect positive changes, and the situation will improve.
Dr. Sharmistha Barai is a leading Child & Adolescent psychiatrist based in Saint Louis, Missouri, using her talents and expertise to treat clients for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar and personality disorders. She specializes in general psycho-geriatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry, drug and alcohol. Dr. Barai completed a MBBS degree (medical degree equivalent) at Lady Hardings Medical College, in New Delhi, India (2002).
To read more, visit here: http://sharmisthabarai.strikingly.com
- Frequent loss of temper
- Arguing with parents and other authority figures
- Refusing to obey requests or instructions
- Refusing to follow rules
- Deliberately annoying others
- Blaming others for their own mistakes and misbehavior
- Touchy and easily annoyed
- Easily angered. Resentful, spiteful or vindictive
- Harsh words or unkind behavior when upset
- Seeking revenge
ODD can develop by age three, or even two. Occasional instances of the above behaviors should be expected in all children, so the question is whether the behavior is extreme and consistent. ODD is diagnosed if the child displays defiant behaviors such as the above so often that social relationships, school, and learning in general are interfered with.
What is the cause? There are two main theories. Some researchers think that ODD stems from the child never successfully making his way through the so-called "terrible twos." Other professionals feel that negative family interactions are the cause.
Defiant Child Behavior or ODD usually occurs along with ADD or ADHD or mood disorders such as depression or severe anxiety or bipolar disorder. Very often there are learning disorders as well. It's important to get a thorough evaluation to determine what else is going on, so you, the school, and a mental health professional can work together to construct a program which can deal with all aspects of the problem.
Some kids do outgrow ODD. In some children, ODD will mutate and become ADHD. Some children continue to have ODD, by itself, although this is not usual. Worst case, the defiant behaviors get worse, leading to the child's being diagnosed with the more serious "Conduct Disorder".
Opinions differ as to whether medication is useful. Ritalin has been found useful in a few, but not all studies where ADHD and ODD are both present. Researchers in one study found the mood stabilizer Divalproex effective in 80% of children. Another study showed Risperdal was effective in children with lower intelligence. Strattera, an alternative to Ritalin in the treatment of ADHD, was found help ODD/ADHD children in one study, but not in another. A recent pilot study found that Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E both helped somewhat.
Parent Management Training, (PMT), is viewed as the best treatment by most professionals. These programs teach parents better ways of reacting to both negative and positive behaviors. PMT is more effective when it's begun when the child is younger.
Part of the training is to teach parents to look beyond the defiance to try to discover any underlying problems, such as drugs, depression, new friends, or just misguided attempts to get attention.
Another emphasis of PMT training is seeking opportunities to praise the child at every opportunity, and to be interested in what's happening in the child's life, even if your overtures are rejected. It's important to offer to spend some time with your child, even when your offer is rarely accepted. Even when angry and defiant, your child doesn't want to feel ignored.
Remember that some defiance is normal-- even necessary. It's part of every adolescent's developmental task. They need to learn to test limits, make decisions, and think independently as they grow up. You have a terrific opportunity to teach your child how to develop these skills. It will likely be a difficult and tiring and frustrating struggle, but worth it.
There are lots of resources available at the library, at the bookstore, and on the web. It's worth your while to check some of them out, and to learn better parenting skills, and then to take the necessary time to implement the skills and techniques you learn. Take heart-- in most cases, all your hard work will gradually affect positive changes, and the situation will improve.
Dr. Sharmistha Barai is a leading Child & Adolescent psychiatrist based in Saint Louis, Missouri, using her talents and expertise to treat clients for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar and personality disorders. She specializes in general psycho-geriatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry, drug and alcohol. Dr. Barai completed a MBBS degree (medical degree equivalent) at Lady Hardings Medical College, in New Delhi, India (2002).
To read more, visit here: http://sharmisthabarai.strikingly.com
