It’s expected that children and their parents will clash from time to time. But if your teen is consistently exhibiting a pattern of anger, irritability and defiance, there may be a deeper issue. 

Oppositional defiant disorder is a behavior condition where a teen displays a continuing pattern of uncooperative, defiant and even hostile conduct for longer than six months. The majority of the time, people with oppositional defiant disorder also have at least one other mental health condition, including:

• ADHD
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Impulse control disorders
• Learning differences

Oppositional defiant disorder most often occurs by the age of eight, though it is possible to get a later diagnosis. The sooner you can get your child treatment for their behavior challenges, the more effective the treatment will be to help them adjust to healthier ways of expressing their emotions.

What are the signs and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder?

Kids of all ages will occasionally get angry or defiant. However, for people with oppositional defiant disorder, this happens much more frequently. It can even interfere with their learning abilities, academic success, and relationships with others. Here are some common signs and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder:

• Having frequent temper tantrums
• Being argumentative and defiant, especially toward adults
• Refusing to do what an adult asks
• Constantly questioning and/or refusing to follow rules
• Doing things to annoy or upset others on purpose
• Blaming others for their own misbehaviors or mistakes
• Being easily annoyed by others
• Having an irritable mood
• Often having an angry attitude
• Speaking harshly or unkindly
• Seeking revenge or being vindictive
• Lashing out when upset

These behaviors aren’t unusual in and of themselves and should only be concerning if they’re severe and disrupting daily life. If your teen is behaving this way frequently and for an extended period of time, they may have oppositional defiant disorder. 

 How is oppositional defiant disorder diagnosed?

There are several forms of oppositional defiant disorder. How your teen acts in different settings, such as at home versus at school, may indicate what level of oppositional defiant disorder they have:

• Mild — With mild oppositional defiant disorder, symptoms occur in only one setting. For many children, their behavioral challenges begin at home.

• Moderate — Some symptoms occur in at least two settings. These can be at home, at school, at work or with peers.

• Severe — Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder occur in three or more settings. This can begin to negatively affect every area of your child’s life.

Diagnosing oppositional defiant disorder can be challenging, since the signs and symptoms may overlap with other conditions such as untreated ADHD, mood disorders or anxiety. If you think your teen has oppositional defiant disorder, they will need to be diagnosed by a mental health professional.

A child or adolescent psychologist or psychiatrist will be able to assess your teen for oppositional defiant disorder or other mental health conditions. They may:

• Interview them personally
• Obtain reports from parents, siblings, friends and teachers
• Assess their behavior
• Rule out other diagnoses

Once they determine whether or not your teen has oppositional defiant disorder, they can help you figure out what treatment path to follow.

What are the treatment options for oppositional defiant disorder?

Early treatment is best when it comes to oppositional defiant disorder. Severe, untreated oppositional defiant disorder can lead to a number of things, including:

• Poor school and work performance
• Antisocial behavior
• Legal problems
• Impulse control problems
• Substance use disorder
• Suicide

If your teen is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.

There are a number of treatment options for people with oppositional defiant disorder. Depending on how your teen’s condition affects their life, their mental health professional may suggest a specific treatment plan. Here are a few possible treatment options they may recommend:

• Parental support training — This can be an excellent resource for helping you learn how to help your teen with their behavior challenges. This type of training will show you how to respond to their defiance in a constructive way to help them learn to manage their behavior.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy — With this form of therapy, your teen can learn how to communicate their frustrations and solve problems. This may help them learn how to control their anger and impulses in a positive way.

• Family therapy — Oppositional defiant disorder can be a challenge for the whole family, especially if these behaviors begin at home. Family therapy can help your whole family work through these challenges together. It may also help improve communication skills and family interactions.

• Group therapy — This type of therapy can help your teen learn how to interact with others, control their impulses and develop social skills. Working with peers who have similar challenges can also help them feel less alone.

• Medication — This is not often used for oppositional defiant disorder specifically. However, if your teen is dealing with a co-occurring condition such as ADHD, anxiety or depression, medication for those conditions may improve their overall well-being.

With time and treatment, your teen can learn how to handle their mental health challenges. The Embrace U care team is here to support adolescents and teens as well as their families as they work through their child’s mental health challenges.
If you’re looking for assistance dealing with your teen’s mental health condition beyond their regular therapy sessions, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.