English_Formal_Report_1413237240

Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder1

Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and its treatments

Christina Brooks

Bryant & Stratton College

English 305

Nicole Michael-Adams

July 31, 2014

2Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Introduction

I chose the topic of Oppositional Defiant Disorder to learn what it was as I have a 5 year oldGrandson that was diagnosed with ODD about a year ago, he lives with us so I wanted to research the disorder so I would be able to help my daughter deal with taking care of him on a daily basis.Many parents today face the reality of dealing with a child that has oppositional defiantdisorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder is relatively common among 3-8 year old children and its presence puts children at risk for more serious and stable behavior problems such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Most children with ODD are also diagnosed with ADHD. Children with ODD are very hard to control, as ODD is characterized by a pattern of noncompliant, argumentative, angry, hostile and defiant behavior that has persisted for at least 6 months. These difficulties cause impairments in social relationships in both adults and peers and are worsened by the signs and symptoms of ADHD.(D. Breuer 2011). Some experts say that ODD may be related to ADHD-impulsivity. Many ADHD kids who are diagnosed with ODD are showing oppositional characteristics by default. They misbehave not because they are intentionally oppositional, but because they can’t control their impulses. The goal of this paper is to provide information to parents and family members of children with ODD. This report will give them the definition of ODD, Its signs and symptoms, how parents can adjust to having a child with ODD, and possible treatment options that will benefit both the parent and the child. I will show this by writing about the research I have looked up, the interview I had with Psychologist Franklin Torigoe, and the personal experiences I had helping my daughter take care of my grandson

Oppositional Defiant Disorder: An Overview

Definition

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is defined as a recurring pattern of negative, hostile, disobedient, and defiant behavior in a child or adolescent, lasting at least 6 months without serious violation of the basic rights of others. (Mayo Clinic 2011).

Signs of Oppositional Defiant disorder

(Mayo Clinic 2012). Signs of ODD general begin before a child is 8 years old. Sometimes ODD may develop later, but almost always before the early teen years. When ODD behavior develops, the signs tend to begin gradually then worsen over months or years. These signs are persistent, last at least 6 months, and are clearly disruptive to the family and home or school environment. The following behaviors are associated with ODD.


retrieved from Google images Negativity Defiance Disobedience Hostility towards authority figures

These behaviors could cause the child too consistently, Have temper tantrums Be argumentative with adults Refuse to comply with adult requests or rules Annoy other people deliberately Blames others for mistakes or misbehavior Acts touchy and is easily annoyed Feel anger and resentment Be spiteful or vindictive Act aggressively toward peers Have difficulty maintaining friendships Have academic problems Feel a lack of self esteem

Who is affected?ODD affects children and adolescents, more young children than adolescents. The young children that are affected have often experienced harsh, inconsistent or neglectful parenting and some consider these practices to have a casual role in the disorder. In order for children to be diagnosed with ODD, one of the things the therapist looks at is how the child treats animals. In adolescents they look for legal problems, and if they are recurring or a onetime event.

4Analysis of Oppositional Defiant DisorderI found information on the percentage of children in particular age groups that are affected by

ODD Retrieved from Google imagesAs you can see in 2010 the older the children were the more susceptible they were. Children are now being diagnosed at a young age, they become susceptible earlier now. Along with finding this information I also found information on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in preschoolers.

Retrieved from journal of child psychology and psychiatry 2012.

When symptom onset and duration criteria, but not impairment were applied a larger portion of children received a diagnosis of ODD at 2.9%.

The earlier the child is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can start. The early start of treatment could eliminate the child continuing to have these symptoms when they get older.

There are several kinds of treatment for ODD that include parent management training programs to help parents and others manage the child’s behavior. Individual psychotherapy to develop more effective anger management. Family psychotherapy to improve communication and mutual understanding, parent-child interaction therapy. Medication may be helpful in

5Analysis of Oppositional Defiant Disordercontrolling some of the more distressful symptoms of ODD as well as the symptoms related to coexistent conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders.Below is a breakdown of the different treatments along with their pros and cons.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPYIndividual counseling for the child may help him or her learn to manage anger and express his or her feelings more healthfully. A con to this is that the child may not open up to a stranger.

FAMILY THERAPYFamily counseling may help improve communication and relationships, and help members of the family work together. A con to this is that in a group setting the family could be selective in what they want to discuss.

PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION THERAPYTherapists coach parents while they interact with their children. In one approach the therapist sits behind a one way mirror, and using an audio device guides parents through strategies that reinforce their children’s positive behavior. A con to this is that even though the parent is reinforcing positive behavior, the child could still be defiant.

PARENT TRAININGA mental health provider with experience treating ODD may help develop skills that will allow parenting in a way that’s more positive and less frustrating for parent and child. In some cases the child may participate in this type of training with the parent, so that everyone in the family develops shared goals on how to handle problems. A con to this is that the parent may not heed the advice given to them.

MEDICATIONSMedications that treat ADHD also help with the symptoms of ODD. They help calm the child and help them concentrate better. There are different types of med such as Adderall, Ritalin, and vyvanse just to name a few. There are cons to medication, they are listed below

They only work if the child has been diagnosed with both ODD and ADHD There are side effects that go along with taking medication, such as decreased appetite,

weight loss, headaches, jitteriness, and sleep problems. Cardiovascular problems, which is the most serious of side effects.

If it is left untreated ODD can progress into a more serious condition known as Conductive Disorder (CD).

Personal interviews and Observation

Along with looking up information on ODD, I interviewed psychologist Franklin Torigoe, below is the question answer session we had which took place in an empty classroom to ensure quiet and concentration. This session was very informative.

1. Are there physical reasons for ODD?


(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct. 23, 2013). There are some beliefs of a genetic connection, others believe there is a brain abnormality.

2. Why is ODD accompanied by ADHD?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23,2013). The diagnostic system is not

perfect it is open to misinterpretation.

3. What is the youngest age recorded with a DX of ODD(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). There is no definitive answer to

this question.

4. Will a child with ODD become an adult with ODD?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). A lot of times it does go away,

there are a few cases of Adult ODD. They can still live a normal life.

5. Do ADHD meds really help control ODD?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal Communication, Oct 23, 2013). From a psychologist’s view no

they do not help, there are long term affects. Most psychologists try to stay away from meds, but the parent should trust what the neurologist does.

6. Should a child with ODD still be corrected for doing something wrong?(A) F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). Yes, there is still learning

involved for children with ODD, it depends on the psychologist’s personal theory.

7. If there is more than 1 Child in the family, why would only 1 child have ODD?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). There are two reasons

1. Genetic reasons, but there is a very little chance of that.2. Brain related causes that only that child would have.

8. Would ODD make a child restless and unable to sleep?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). It could no dx is clean.

9. When was ODD first discovered?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal Communication, Oct 23, 2013). He was unable to answer this

question and suggested I research the answer, which I did. Per ask.com I found that ODD was first discovered in 1987.

10. Does counseling actually help a child with ODD?(A) (F. Torigoe, personal communication, Oct 23, 2013). Yes, counseling does help,

they are well educated on ODD, and it also helps to have someone outside to be objective and neutral.


I also interviewed the parent of a child diagnosed with ODD then made a comparison of both interviews to determine a recommendation on treatment of ODD. Below is that question and answer session which took place in a quiet room of the home behind a closed door to ensure privacy for quiet and concentration.

1. How hard is it to raise a child with ODD?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It is the most time

consuming and draining experience that I have ever encountered in my life.

2. Does raising a child with ODD put any physical limits on the parent?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes- besides my own

physical ailments getting worse I tend to cut out where I go and how long I am at places. I also allow it to restrict places that I go.

3. Does raising a child with ODD drain a parent emotionally as well as physically?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes- I am on

antidepressants and my stress level gets worse when Avery gets hard to handle.

4. What are the characteristics of a child with ODD?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Loving, demanding,

violent, and hard to handle.

5. To what extent can the behavior of the ODD child get?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It can be very

overwhelming, he gets very verbal as well as physical at times.

6. If there is more than one child in the home does that help as far as calming or dealing with the ODD child?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). No they fight all the time.

7. Do you feel a child with ODD should still be corrected?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes and No. It doesn’t

help and a lot of times if you try to correct him it only makes the situation and his behavior worse.

8. What do you feel is the best way to correct the ODD child?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Talking to him, if anything

at all works or helps it is talking calmly to him.

9. Are there any guilty feelings when you have to correct a child with ODD?(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). Yes but not just with him,

with her as well. I have guilty feelings anytime I correct either child. That did not start till after Avery was born though.

10. Is it harder when other people interfere with correcting the ODD child?


(A) (K. Brooks, personal communication, July 29, 2014). It is almost impossible he only tends to even barely behave when being corrected by those closest to him let alone others getting involved.

After comparing the two interviews I noticed that there aer a lot of similarities as far as correction. I feel this is important in treatment as consistency should help stabilize the child.

I also observed my 5 year old grandson who was diagnosed with ODD a couple of months ago. When he was first diagnosed, my daughter tried just counseling with him, because she did not want to jump and put him on meds right away.Finally after watching his behavior get worse, he was finally taken to a neurologist and placed on medication. The medication seems to help, but I don’t think it helps enough maybe once she finds him a new counselor that will help. I think if he had a combination of the medication and counseling he would improve even more.Before the medication, he would hit my daughter, tell her he hates her, he even through kittens off a porch. Now that he is on the medication, he is not as violent, but he seems to still have a lot of pent up energy. I think this energy is his way of trying to get his anger out because he has no one to talk to at the moment.I have also noticed a change in my daughter, there are times she still gets extremely frazzled, but nowhere near as much as she did before he started his medication. I feel that the parent training classes would be a benefit to her, because it would teach her how to deal with him and make for a more relaxed environment. She wouldn’t get as frazzled as she does at times. That would help her tremendously as she also has a 9 year old daughter she also has to tend to, and if he is calm she will be calm and be able to take care of both of them, and provide a quieter environment for them like she constantly tries to do.

RECOMMENDATION

My recommendation is that a family that is dealing with a child with ODD should take advantage of all the services that are out there to help them. A combination of all of these services will make for a suitable environment for everyone involved.


References

1. Greenspan, s. & Weider,S. (1998). The child with special needs. Reading, Mass. Addison-Wesley

Greenspan Is an M.D. who wrote this very informative book that helps us understand children with special needs. He does this by using case studies. He breaks the studies down step by step, and then tells what the outcome of the study was. He also writes in a way that his reader will understand everything he is trying to say.

2. Mackenzie, E. P. (2007). Improving treatment Outcome for Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Young Children. Journal of early intensive behavior intervention,510. Retrieved from Database Education research Complete.

This article on oppositional defiant disorder is written to explain what the disorder is and how it is treated. MacKenzie gives an excellent definition of oppositional defiant Disorder, and she explains it in layman’s terms so that even a parent could read this Article and know what she was talking about. She talks about BPT ( Behavioral Parent Training). Which is designed to help parents of odd children cope with that child on a Daily basis. She also talks about the treatment outcomes for these children.

3. Ravenel, D. (2008). Common Behavioral and Learning Problems in Children an Alternative Nonmedical Approach: A Pediatrician’s Perspective. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 10(2). 71-79. Doi: 10.1891/1559.4343.10.2.71

This article is written from a pediatrician’s perspective. He talks about thin increasing number of children who are being evaluated and treated for ADD and ODD. He talks about how psychologists are now becoming involved in the care of these children. These children are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages.

4. Taffel, R. (2001). Getting through to difficult kids. The Guilford Press. New York/London

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