Teenagers and children undergo significant changes in their bodies and only recently have we really begun to understand the wide range of mental disorders in teens that can plague them. The teenage mental disorders list only seems to be growing as we know more about their behavior. With the right treatment and therapy, all teenage disorders can be managed so that your teen can live a healthy, fulfilling life on their own, but early detection is critical. As a parent, you will want to know about the types of teen mental issues and disorders so that you can recognize the symptoms in your teenagers.
One such disorder that you should become familiar with is the oppositional defiant disorder or ODD. Knowing what it is, what its symptoms are, and how to treat it can make parenting difficult teenage daughter or coping with teenage daughter or son far more bearable. You will also be helping them grow and become functioning adults of their own.
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all for ODD, which can make dealing with difficult teenage girls and boys a struggle. Your teen will experience ODD uniquely, but knowing what to look for can help you understand when to seek out professional help from one of our treatment centers before their teenage risk behavior becomes dangerous to themselves or others.
ODD is not the same as a child acting out. All children and teenagers will act out and misbehave. This is not a sign of an underlying disorder and is instead part of their growing process as they work out what their boundaries are.
ODD is different in that it is persistent and done particularly in the face of anyone of authority. It can be hard enough to know how to deal with a difficult teenage son without this disorder, but knowing how to deal with teenage problems like ODD is one of the best parenting moves you can make.
Those with ODD are very negative, will disobey to any order, and very hostile, especially towards adults. They are unrelenting in their behavior and can seem as incapable of finding a middle ground or listening to their parents, which is why many shouldn’t feel afraid to admit that they need help knowing how to deal with teenagers with this disorder. Children with ODD will see themselves as completely in the right and unable to see the other side.
This disorder is often developed between the ages of 6 to 8 years old, though it can develop later in life as well. Less than 16% of children will have this disorder or exhibit symptoms of this disorder. It can be caused by genetics, by an irregularly developing brain, and of course, a loose parenting style that does not enforce discipline. Children who already have ADHD are at greater risk of developing ODD as well.
What Do You Do if Your Teen Has Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Dealing with a teenager with oppositional defiant disorder can be a challenge. It’s already hard enough dealing with difficult teens, but if you need help with teenage daughter or need to know how to tackle teenage son, we are here for you.
If you suspect that your teen has oppositional defiant disorder, which makes hard to know how to handle teenagers in the best of times, give us a call. We can work with both you and your teen so that your child can move on and cope with their disorder and, in many cases, move on from it.
Mendi Baron LCSWFOUNDER/CEOMendi is a passionate advocate for teens and young adults in the fields of mental health and addiction. Baron creates programs to bring a unique approach to the treatment of adolescents and young adults who are struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders and substance abuse issues. Clinically trained, Baron earned a BA with honors in psychology and social work at the University of Maryland and an MSW at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His extensive experience as a therapist includes individual and group counseling for children, adolescents, and families in various settings. Gaining insight and experience, he has worked at several treatment centers including the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Chabad Crisis Centers, and the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change.
Before launching Ignite Teen Treatment, Mendi conceived and built, from the ground up, multiple successful, high end adolescent residential and outpatient programs in Los Angeles. Mendi has appeared on the Dr. Phil show, is regularly featured in mental health and addiction publications, and speaks around the country in person and on Tv/Radio on these topics. With his newest ventures, Mendi instills a rare blend of energy, creativity, and experience to the treatment of teens, young adults, and their families struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The son of a Rabbi, eldest of 11 children, is a part-time rock musician, boxer, cantor, and father of three.
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