Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of the most common psychiatric problems in children, and describes many of the teenagers who attend Three Springs.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder can be diagnosed based on a variety of behaviors, but usually involves aggressiveness and a tendency to deliberately bother and annoy other people. ODD-diagnosed children can suffer from adolescent depression and anger management problems.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Other Behaviors
When dealing with Oppositional Defiant Disorder it is important to look past the diagnosis and focus on the underlying issues. Many of these teens use defiance to show a lack of respect for family or any kind of authority. This can lead to experimentation with drugs and alcohol as well as other at-risk youth behaviors or attention-seeking devices.
Research shows that a diagnosis called Conduct Disorder (CD) is a more severe form of Oppositional Defiant Disorder; however, Conduct Disorder involves safety concerns—for the child, for people around the child and/or for property. Both conditions can be frustrating for parents to deal with and, in the case of Conduct Disorder, possibly even frightening.
Dealing with ODD
The staff at Three Springs has extensive experience addressing this condition, working closely with teens and their families to help instill lasting changes.
The positive peer culture of all our programs provides families with the basis for dealing with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder. Your child will be placed in a group of peers who will provide immediate feedback about negative behaviors. Teens learn quickly that their actions have direct consequences to themselves and those around them.Our individual and group counseling will also address the underlying issues that cause the Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder behavior.
