Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Teens
It’s normal for teens to push boundaries or challenge authority as they navigate independence and hormonal changes. But for some young people, especially those with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), this behavior goes beyond the occasional disagreement. ODD involves a consistent pattern of anger, defiance, and hostility that can disrupt daily life and relationships.
Learn more about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), available treatment options for behavioral disorders, and how to get the support you need.
What Is ODD?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is classified as a disruptive behavior condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. While often identified during early development, ODD can continue into young adulthood and may impact up to 16% of individuals during their school years.
ODD is a conduct disorder that features consistent hostile, uncooperative and defiant behaviors towards authority figures and parents.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) behavior patterns often begin at a young age, with signs sometimes appearing as early as preschool. When these symptoms are not addressed early on, they can persist and become more disruptive over time, continuing into the college years.
ODD in young adults can have serious consequences, such as:
- A decline in academic performance.
- Dropping out of school.
- Trouble with the law.
- Truancy.
In addition, social factors—such as friendships and peer relationships—can be negatively impacted, as peers may find it challenging to maintain connections with someone who exhibits oppositional or defiant behavior.
Many college students with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) may also have undiagnosed co-occurring conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, or mood disorders.
Other underlying conditions may contribute to oppositional behavior, especially when someone feels frustrated, unheard, or misunderstood. If Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is suspected, a comprehensive mental health evaluation is essential. If a coexisting condition is identified, both issues can be effectively addressed by a qualified mental health professional.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder in College Students
Everyone can be argumentative, angry, or defiant at times. However, college students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) tend to display these behaviors consistently and often without clear provocation.
How do you know if your child’s behavior is representative of ODD? When a teen displays the following signs for more than six months, they may have symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder.
The signs and symptoms of ODD include:
- Angry outbursts
- Argumentative and uncooperative
- Being purposely antagonistic
- Hostility
- Frequent temper tantrums in early adolescence
- Irritable mood
- Open defiance toward authority figures
- Negative attitude
- Refusal to follow rules
- Reject authority
- Spiteful
- Stubborn behaviors
- Touchy
- Verbal aggression, hateful and mean language
- Vindictiveness
A teenager that is explosive or hostile can be a taxing presence for families, peers and teachers to endure. Your afflicted child will lack the coping skills needed to respond appropriately to a given challenge, request, rule or task. This causes them to act out by expressing their frustration in a negative manner. This often leads to consequences and punishments, which, in turn, leads to even more acting out and behavioral problems. It becomes a vicious cycle.
The Cause of ODD
Although the cause of oppositional behavior is still being studied, there are a variety of risk factors that can influence the development of the personality disorder.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), some of these factors include:
- 1. Brain function. Brain imaging studies have shown that kids and teens with ODD have slight differences in the brain’s limbic region. This is where executive functions (impulse control, judgment and reasoning) are regulated.
- 2. Environmental. The family and home environment factors significantly contribute to ODD. Children who had inconsistent discipline, who did not receive structure or supervision, or who witnessed abuse and violence in the home, are at a higher risk.
- 3. Genetics. A child whose parents struggled with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, ODD or substance use disorders, is more prone to developing ODD.
- 4. Psychological makeup. A child’s general disposition and temperament can play a role in the development of ODD as well. The child's symptoms may include underdeveloped coping skills, they may have delayed emotional maturity or have trouble identifying social cues.
Teens with ODD will often present with a co-occurring mental health condition. Your child with ODD may also struggle with an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression or a learning disorder.
A thorough assessment will provide the diagnostic details that can help a psychiatrist form a treatment plan that covers ODD plus any co-occurring disorder.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder Treatment for College Students
Having an ODD treatment plan in place is important for parents who are weary from attempts to manage their child’s disorder on their own.
Parenting someone with ODD can be incredibly challenging. Daily interactions often feel like constant power struggles, filled with tension and frustration, where conflicts escalate quickly and the young person learns to push boundaries and influence adult responses.
There comes a time when students recognize they can’t handle their mental health challenges alone and need support from a mental health professional.
As part of creating an effective mental health treatment plan for ODD, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is completed. This involves interviews with the individual and their family to help identify key factors that influence the development of the treatment approach.
It is often found that a teen with ODD is exhibiting caustic behaviors as a result of feeling emotional pain or fear. This information during the initial intake interview can be incredibly helpful. Getting to the root cause of the teen’s emotional state is key to developing an effective treatment plan.
Then, based on the needs and symptoms of your teen, a tailored treatment plan will be designed.
Treatment for ODD usually involves a combination of the following therapeutic interventions:
1. Cognitive problem-solving skills training.
A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, this therapy technique helps the teen to identify disordered or irrational thoughts that trigger hostile behaviors that both upset others and themselves. Your child will be guided toward shifting the dysfunctional thoughts to alleviate the negative behaviors.
2. Family therapy.
Family-focused therapy teaches family members and parents effective communication skills and conflict resolution techniques to use.
3. Individual psychotherapy.
Your child will engage one-on-one with a psychotherapist to explore possible underlying emotional issues.
4. Medication.
Teens with co-occurring ADHD, anxiety or depression may require medication to help manage symptoms.
5. Parent management training.
Parents are coached to set consistent and reasonable boundaries, limits and rules, and offered tips on how to enforce them.
Therapy for ODD should be primarily behavioral-based and treatment often includes a reward system. The rewards help to reinforce new coping skills, social skills and positive behavior. The family intervention piece of the treatment plan helps parents gain control in the home, which improves the quality of life for all members of the family.
School Source Behavioral Health Provides Treatment for Teens With ODD
Embark offers a full spectrum of mental health services for teens and young adults. We provide treatment for teens with ODD, including those with co-occurring ADHD, anxiety, depression or substance abuse issues.
Our team of clinical and medical professionals understands the unique emotional needs of adolescents. This expert knowledge enhances treatment success.
Our services provide your family with affordable help, when and where you need it, at the right level of care. We also accept most insurance plans. Contact us today.
Your healing journey starts here.
At School Source Behavioral Health, we understand that college life can be overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, you don’t have to face it alone. Our team of compassionate professionals is ready to listen and guide you toward the support and resources you need.
Fill out the form, and someone from our team will reach out to you promptly. Your well-being matters—take the first step today.