Troubled Teens Resources

Oppositional Defiance Order attempts to label behavior that goes beyond mere defiance. Parents of troubled teenagers or pre-teens who are merely defiant or rebellious sometimes are confused. How do you differentiate between acceptable teen rebellion and defiance that might lead to criminal behavior or teen age drug abuse?

Here are some basic guidelines as offered by the American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry:

“In children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), there is an ongoing pattern of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that seriously interferes with the youngster’s day to day functioning. Symptoms of ODD may include:

* frequent temper tantrums
* excessive arguing with adults
* active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules
* deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
* blaming others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
* often being touchy or easily annoyed by others
* frequent anger and resentment
* mean and hateful talking when upset
* seeking revenge

The symptoms are usually seen in multiple settings, but may be more noticeable at home or at school. Five to fifteen percent of all school-age children have ODD. The causes of ODD are unknown, but many parents report that their child with ODD was more rigid and demanding than the child’s siblings from an early age. Biological and environmental factors may have a role.”

(Source)