What Are The Ways To Prevent Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Does It Reoccur?

A childhood mental health disorder, in which the child tends to be aggressive or angry, irritable, defying, argumentative and vindictive often than what a child of that age should be, is termed as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). ODD disturbs a child’s or teen’s school life, work-life, social and family relationships significantly. Oppositional defiant disorder needs to be diagnosed and treated at the earliest to ensure a better recovery.^(1,3)

The oppositional defiant disorder cannot be assuredly prevented. However, recognizing the problem at the earliest and practicing positive parenting can help in certain positive behavior changes and arrest the condition from worsening in the future. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the child benefits from it.⁽²⁾

The treatment can also help in restoring the child’s confidence, self-respect and also help in building a positive connection between your child and you. Also, other people in your child’s life, like his teachers or caretakers will benefit from the early treatment of your child’s odd.⁽²⁾

Oppositional defiant disorder needs persistence and patience on part of the treatment team and especially parents. Often, complications occur when parents or the treatment team give up on the child. In such a case, the problems may worsen over time. The oppositional defiant disorder can reoccur if the treatment is stopped or discontinued when the behavior starts seeming normal. The treatment needs to be continued for some more time even after the child starts behaving seemingly normal.

Kids and teens suffering from ODD have a lot of a hard time with family, parents, friends, at school, with teachers and at workplaces with higher authorities. These kids struggle a lot to make new friends and relationships and also to keep them. If left untreated, the oppositional defiant disorder can cause many serious problems. These may consist of-

• Poor or failing performance at school and workplace
• Antisocial mannerism or behavior
• Problems related to impulse control
• Substance abuse
• Tendency to suicide

Many kids with odd also have other co-existing mental health disorders like-

• ADHD or attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Disorders related to communication and learning

If there are other co-existent mental health disorders, treating these first can improve the oppositional defiant disorder to a great extent. Also, if these disorders do exist and are not treated on time, it may become even more difficult to treat the oppositional defiant disorder.⁽²⁾

The oppositional defiant disorder is not a simple problem. Some possible risk factors for ODD may consist of-

Nature– A child with a nature that has difficulty in controlling emotions, like reacting extremely emotionally to situations or incapable of tolerating frustrations, is more prone to getting the oppositional defiant disorder.⁽²⁾

Problems With Parenting-If there are parental issues in the family-like harsh discipline, inconsistent discipline, abuse, neglect, etc. and also an absence of parental supervision, kids in such families are more prone to getting ODD.⁽²⁾

Other Family Problems– If a child has a parent with a substance abuse disorder or a mental health disorder, if there is parental discord or family disagreement often, he or she is more likely to develop ODD.⁽²⁾

Surroundings-Oppositional defiant disorder can be strengthened if the child receives attention from the peers or there is an inconsistent disciplinary action by authoritative figures like teachers at school.⁽²⁾

The oppositional defiant disorder is a term for a childhood psychological well-being issue, which grandstands trouble in controlling feelings or emotions. Youngsters with an ODD inclined to the trouble and be forceful towards others. The treatment of oppositional defiant disorder relies on different elements like the age of the kid, seriousness of the condition and conjunction of other emotional wellness issues like ADHD, alongside ODD. The treatment approach for the oppositional defiant disorder is multifaceted and may likewise include treatment of various types to guarantee a superior recuperation from this issue.

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Also Read:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Complications
• Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
• How Do You Discipline A Child With Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
• What are the Odds of Surviving a Brain Aneurysm?
• How Dangerous Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Life Expectancy Of Someone With it?