Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

If your child or teen has a persistent pattern of disobedience and hostility toward authority figures for at least 6 months, he or she may have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Some symptoms associated with ODD are being argumentative with adults, easily losing the temper, acting aggressively towards peers, persistently being in trouble at school, being touchy or easily annoyed and refusing to follow an adults directions or rules. ODD can be present from early childhood to after puberty and is much more common in boys. The causes for ODD vary and can be a mix of psychological, social and biological issues. It may be difficult to see the difference between ODD and childhood argumentativeness and moodiness. Treatments include individual and family therapy, and medication may be prescribed for mental health conditions related to ODD.