Learn About Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures.
This disorder is more common in boys than in girls. This behavior typically starts by age 8. However, it may start as early as the preschool years. This disorder is thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Symptoms include:
- Actively does not follow adults' requests
- Angry and resentful of others
- Argues with adults
- Blames others for own mistakes
- Has few or no friends or has lost friends
- Is often in trouble in school
- Loses temper
- Is spiteful or seeks revenge
- Is touchy or easily annoyed
To fit this diagnosis, the pattern must last for at least 6 months and must be more than normal childhood misbehavior.
The pattern of behaviors must be different from those of other children around the same age and developmental level. The behavior must lead to significant problems in school or social activities.
The best treatment for the child is to talk with a mental health professional in individual and possibly family therapy. The parents should also learn how to manage the child's behavior.
Medicines may also be helpful, especially if the behaviors occur as part of another condition (such as depression, childhood psychosis, or ADHD).
Xiuyun Lin practices in Beijing, China. Lin is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Their top areas of expertise are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19.
Lourdes Ezpeleta practices in Barcelona, Spain. Ms. Ezpeleta is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Her top areas of expertise are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Hypermobile Joints.
Atrium Health Levine Children's University Pediatrics
Saritha Ambati is a Pediatrics provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Ambati is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Her top areas of expertise are Diarrhea, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Umbilical Hernia, and Streptococcal Group A Infection. Dr. Ambati is currently accepting new patients.
Some children respond well to treatment, while others do not.
In many cases, children with oppositional defiant disorder grow up to have conduct disorder as teenagers or adults. In some cases, children may grow up to have antisocial personality disorder.
Contact your health care provider if you have concerns about your child's development or behavior.
Be consistent about rules and consequences at home. Don't make punishments too harsh or inconsistent.
Model the right behaviors for your child. Abuse and neglect increase the chances that this condition will occur.
Summary: The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to is to test emotion regulation as a moderator of two different treatments for children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). The main question it aims to answer is whether treatment gains be increased when children with ODD receive a treatment congruent with their emotion regulation skill problems. Participants will be divided into two groups b...
Published Date: May 04, 2024
Published By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 02/05/2025.
American Psychiatric Association website. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Lee EH, Sinclair-McBride KR, DeMaso DR, Walter HJ. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 42.
Moser SE, Netson KL. Behavioral problems in children and adolescents. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 23.