Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, is characterized by symptoms like easy irritability, disobeying rules, intentionally pestering others, lying, and/or acting out of revenge or cruelty. These symptoms are typically noted in childhood.

Although oppositional defiant disorder does not have a specific cause, the risk for developing this condition is greater in patients with a history of abuse, living in hostile environments or with a family history of ODD in parents.

If ODD is suspect, you are advised to consult a psychiatrist. Treatment may involve psychotherapy sessions and, in more severe cases, medications like isperidone or aripiprazole to manage symptoms.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are:

Losing your temper frequently
Geting upset easily
Holding grudges
Disobeying rules or orders from people with more authority, such as parents and teachers
Intentionally harassing other people
Acting out of revenge and/or with cruelty
Blaming other people for your mistakes or bad behavior

Children and adolescents with ODD normally do not consider their behavior a problem, although they may have bad grades at school, and have difficulty in maintaining relationships with their peers or family members. They may also cause disruptions in the different places.

Furthermore, patients with ODD will also often have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as impulsivity and inattention.

Confirming a diagnosis

The diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder is normally made by a child or adult psychiatrist based on the patient's symptoms. The doctor will look at the frequency of these symptoms and how they impact the child's personal and school life, as well as the patient's health history.

It is common for the doctor to also request a psychological evaluation and/or reports from teachers, caregivers or health care professionals who may monitor the patient to obtain more accurate information about their behavior to confirm the diagnosis.

Possible causes

Oppositional defiant disorder does not have a specific cause.However, it is believed that there is a genetic predisposition for the development of this condition, especially when there is a history of ODD in one of the parents.

Furthermore, ODD is more common in the cases of excessively strict or negligent parents, a history of abuse or living in an environment with aggressive behavior.

Treatment options

Treatment for oppositional defiant disorder can be done with psychotherapy sessions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. These are aimed at learning to manage impulses, and to communicate and solve problems more appropriately.

In more serious cases, the doctor may prescribe antipsychotics, like risperidone or aripiprazole, or mood stabilizers, like lamotrigine or carbamazepine, to better manage symptoms, especially in cases of aggressiveness.

Furthermore, if there are other associated conditions, like ADHD, it is important for treatment to be maintained as prescribed by the doctor.

Is there a cure for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

Although there is no cure for oppositional defiant disorder, some symptoms can diminish over time, especially in mild cases where treatment is carried out as advised by a doctor.