In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 4th edition (DSM-IV) and the International Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders (ICD-10) oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is described as a ‘repetitive and persistent pattern of opposition, defiant, disobedient and disruptive behaviours towards authority figures persisting for at least 6 months.
Physicians define ODD as a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior directed toward authority figures. Children and adolescents with ODD often rebel, are stubborn, argue with adults, and refuse to obey.
ODD is more common in children who live in poverty, and before adolescence it is slightly more prevalent in boys, although this difference resolves in adolescence.
ODD is frequently comorbid with other psychiatric conditions and often precedes the development of conduct disorder (CD), substance abuse, and severely delinquent behavior.
The most common behaviors that children and adolescents with ODD show are:
•Defiance
•Spitefulness
•Negativity
•Hostility and verbal aggression
Developmental factors of ODD include:
•a history of the child having a difficult temperament
•being difficult to soothe as a baby
•having high motor activity, and
•a propensity toward extreme emotional reactions.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
