Are any of your children difficult to handle? Maybe they are defiant, foul-tempered, or hard to get along with for more than five minutes. It might not be about your parenting but about their condition. Your children could be suffering from Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD.
Kids will be Kids
That’s what old folks used to say about children when they were mischievous. All kids test their parents by pushing their boundaries with words and actions. It takes some time but most kids grow out of their questionable behavior as they approach adulthood.
Sometimes, the defiant behavior is more serious than just a “phase” they are going through. Instead of blaming yourself, your child, or trying to sweep the issue under the rug, it may be time to get help. Learn what you are dealing with in order to bring peace back into your home.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Children could be suffering from a condition called ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. It involves chronic negative and defiant behavior on the part of your child. They exhibit a pattern of behavior that goes on for at least six months, with almost daily events of:
*Arguing with parents, teachers, and other adults
*Disobeying rules given by parents
*Losing their tempers
*Annoying people on purpose
*Being spiteful or vengeful towards others
*Showing anger and/or resentment towards others
*Irritability or annoyance at the behavior of others
*Placing blame on others instead of accepting it themselves
Children with ODD are highly disruptive. Just going out with your children can lead to problems within the family unit. Normal outings are no longer enjoyable when children exhibit this type of behavior regularly.
Children diagnosed with this condition are likely to suffer from additional issues. These can include ADD (attention-deficit disorder, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), anxiety, depression, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. To help resolve the behavior issues, all of the symptoms and conditions must be addressed.
The Cause of Oppositional Defiant Disorder
As with many other conditions, the cause of ODD is not definitive. It could be biological. Chemical imbalances in the brain can lead to a number of conditions that manifest themselves in the body. Genetics can play a part, if other family members have been diagnosed with ODD or other forms of mental illness. Environmental factors can also play a role, whether through food, air, or issues within the home.
Labeling defiant children as “bad” could be detrimental to them. Something else could be at work in their bodies that might be going unnoticed. The key is to have children diagnosed by qualified professionals and address the ODD symptoms as well as any others that may present.
