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Oppositional Defiant Disorder

I would like to get more information on ODD. Can you give me a medical defintion(symptoms, possible causes, etc) of this disorder and how it can be or if it can be treated without the use of medication. (I have written before and have looked for the S.O.S. book but have been unable to find it.) My concern is that the side affects of drug treatment will be worse than the actual behavior problem. I am concerned about my son's difficult behavior but am more concerned about the overall health risks medications like Ritalin may have on his future physical and mental development.

Finally, if we seek the help of a child psychologist, Will he/she automatically want to put my son on some kind of behavior altering drug? I want this health care professional to get to know my child before drastic measures are taken. Is there some kind of protocol that is used when observing a child that possibly has ODD and what kinds of things does a pychologist look for?

Thank you for you help!

Paige Wright




11 Responses
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Avatar universal
My 12 year old is ruining our lives.  He clearly has ODD and is about to step over to a conduct disorder.  We feel quite helpless and really don't know what to do.  We have tried several approaches a provided by a social worker and some of the books we read.  I am at the point of sending him away if I knew a place to send him.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was wondering, as a preschool teacher, how to structure my class to be able to include a child with ODD in the daily routine?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My huband and I are having trouble with our 6 year in the school
environment.  He is in KG and he is exhibiting characteristics of ODD.  I am a speech pathologist in the public school setting and
a member of my schools' Child Study Teams (CST) and we help parents and teacher deal with students' academic and social/emotional development.  However now that I'm in the role of the parent I'm at my wits end.  Our son is very bright and he excells in math and language. I recently surfed the net to research ODD and my son seems to fit the profile.  Does this disorder have to be identified by a psychologist?  My son's is a totally different child when he is home as oppose to the schoool enviromment.  He follows the rules of our household and he is a contributing member as well.  He has chores and jobs that he is responsible for.  Yet he constantly questions the authority of his teachers, is physically aggressive at time, breaks school and classroom rules.  I would like some information on classroom management for my son's teacher.  She is at her wits end as well.
I did not see any web sites for behavior management.  I realize that each case and child is different; however some common tips and strategies would be helpful.
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Avatar universal
Ya All:
  There is a ton of help out there! If you look for it. There is more than one doctor, there is more than one diagnosis and there is definetley more than one drug!!These are our children..Fight for them dont give up. Get the help for them. Get the help you need yourself to deal with them. Love them. Keep them.
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Avatar universal
Kay
My daughter is 14.  The last four years have been a living hell for us (she was diagnosed with ODD two years ago).  We have finally come to the end of our rope or perhaps have simply jumped onto another....it is hard to tell which.  Her school is threatening to expel her to alternative school....she is returning to school this coming Tuesday after being suspended for one week.  Home life has become intolerable and is eroding away at its very foundation.  My youngest daughter, who does not exhibit any symptoms of ODD or any disorder, is suffering greatly from her sister's problems.  I do not know what to do.  I am a single parent with no insurance and absolutely no family support to help me with my daughter.  It all just seems so hopeless...nothing I have tried has succeeded.  I don't know where else to turn..........................
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Avatar universal
Our 9 year old was diagnosed with ADD 5 years ago and has increasingly getting worse with homework and lying about many aspects in his life, especially school related projects. This
has been not only exausting but emotionally challenging.  I want to be a great mother and always prided myself as a very forgiving and patient model.  I don't feel so patient or understanding anymore.  The more I give the more he takes.  First,what do I do about the lying and what conciquences will
work( I have tried so many things) and second am I causing more
bad behavior by my not trusting and supporting him when he lies??Help
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My son is 14 years old.  He as been an A and B student his whole life until now.  He was invited to attend the academic magnet school in our district.  He is failing everything except piano as a freshman.  He sleeps for four hours every afternoon.  It is like a person came to live with me that I did not invite. He is very pleasant if you do not mention school work but a rage will develop if questioned.  He lies constantly about school work.  The psychologist says ADD and depression but we are waiting for the fourth week to see the Psychiatrist.  We have 3 more to go.  Teachers are baffled because he is so nice; just won't do the work.  Has stopped having any friends to our house

Suggestions?
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Avatar universal
my son is 14.has had adhd for 6 yrs. things are worse now than ever,hes on out of school setting do to behavior,and odd mental heath as well as different meds,are not working what do i do next?he has been on tegtrol,wellbrutrin,ritlin,nowhes on 750mg. of depakotea day.please help me its putting me nuts.

thank you,betty cumberledge












Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My ADHD/ODD 12 year old son has finally gotten himself expelled from school.  I wonder if anyone knows what the answer to this is.  He displays typical symptoms of the above dissorders and now has snapped the last straw by drawing a cartoon of himself and his teacher, with him machine gunning down his teacher.  The principle and teacher must've thought "columbine!" and instantly dismissed him.  His father wants him in the psyc ward at the hospital.  I am going to inquire in the morning.  What the heck am I supposed to do?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My Son has all of the above symptoms. We have been trying for over 7 years to help him,with no results. We have been involved with mental health for a number of years and have never heard of this disorder. He attended a 4 week assesment program and the only thing they came up with is that he has a visual impairment, meaning that he does not read or percieve cues as other kids do. We have tried numerous meds with the only results being tremendous weight gain which has lowered his self worth even more.We have also tried the natural way with no results. The violence from him has gotten to the point of having to call the RCMP. We are now looking at placing him in a theraputic foster home as he is becoming a danger to our family and himself. He is 11 years old and weighs 128 and is causing physical injury to me and his siblings quite often. This is breaking my heart. Any advice is worth it.

                      Wanting to stay a family
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242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Ms. Wright,

Oppositional Defiant D/O is one example of a class of childhood emotional disorders called Disruptive Behavior Disorders. ODD is typified by a pattern of negativistic, hostile and defiant behavior lasting at least six months. At least four of the following symtoms must be present: often losing temper, often arguing with adults, often actively defying or refusing to comply with adults' requests or rules, often deliberately annoying people, often blaming others for his/her mistakes or misbehavior, often being touchy or easily annoyed by others, often being angry or resentful and often being spiteful or vindictive.

Systematic behavior management plans are essential in treating ODD, even if medication is part of the treatment plan. If a clinician recommends medication, you have the ultimate decision in whether it will be prescribed or not. But you needn't regard it as a drastic measure - it is a useful and appropriate intervention in the right circumstances.

You cab obtain the S.O.S. Help for Parents book (written by Lynn Clark) from Parents Press in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Ant bookstore can easily order it for you.
Helpful - 0

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