It’s normal for children to misbehave every once in a while during the course of their development. However, there could be something more serious going on if the defiance becomes a pattern that disrupts daily life. Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, is a behavior disorder characterized by hostility and defiant attitudes towards rules and authority figures. If you have an uncooperative child, here are three signs they may have ODD.
Signs Your Child May Need Oppositional Defiant Disorder Help
1. They Have a Comorbidity
According to researchers, children with ODD are commonly diagnosed with other comorbid disorders. ADHD, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and learning disorders are some examples of conditions that often coexist alongside ODD.
2. Their Behavior Impairs Social and Academic Life
It’s possible to manage oppositional defiant disorder with help. However, diagnosis requires the child to meet four out of eight criteria as outlined in the DSM-5, such as verbal aggression or an inability to own up to mistakes. It should be noted that the symptoms must be severe and frequent enough to significantly impair the child’s social and academic outcomes to be classified as ODD.
3. They Misinterpret Harmless Situations
A common sign of ODD among children is the misinterpreting of innocuous situations as aggressive. For example, a child with ODD may interpret an accidental bump as a direct attack on their person.
Evaluation and Treatment
Proper treatment of oppositional defiant disorder can help affected children reach their potential. If you are interested in having your child evaluated by a trained professional, contact The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi at web.
