What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
According to Frick “Oppositional defiant disorder is a recurring pattern of negative, hostile, disobedient, and defiant behavior in a child or adolescent, lasting for at least six months without serious violation of the basic rights of others. The behavior disturbances cause clinically significant problems in social, school, or work functioning. The course of oppositional defiant disorder varies among patients. In males, the disorder is more common among those who had problem temperaments or high motor activity in the preschool years.” (Frick, 1992)
During the school years, patients may have low self-esteem, changing moods, and a low frustration tolerance. Patients may swear and use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs at an early age. There are often conflicts with parents, teachers, and peers. Children with this disorder show their negative and defiant behaviors by being persistently stubborn and resisting directions. They may be unwilling to compromise, give in, or negotiate with adults. Patients may deliberately or persistently test limits, ignore orders, argue, and fail to accept blame for misdeeds. Hostility is directed at adults or peers and is shown by verbal aggression or deliberately annoying others.
Causes of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
As Howe explains “Oppositional defiant disorder is more common in boys than girls and the disorder typically begins by age eight. Although the specific causes of the disorder are unknown, parents who are overly concerned with power and control may cause an eruption to occur. Symptoms often appear at home, but over time may appear in other settings as well. Usually the disorder occurs gradually over months or years. Several theories about the causes of oppositional defiant disorder are being investigated.” (Howe, 1992)Oppositional defiant disorder may be related to:
- The child's temperament and the family's response to that temperament,
- An inherited predisposition to the disorder in some families,
- A neurological cause, like a head injury,
A chemical imbalance in the brain (especially with the brain chemical serotonin)
