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Expert Q&A

	By Adolph Brown Psychologist

Is ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) a chemical imbalance or just a name for defiant children?

You have asked an excellent question. Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD as it is commonly referred to in counseling circles, is actually a pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least six months, during which four (or more) of the following symptoms are present:

• Often loses temper
• Often argues with adults
• Often actively defies adult's requests or rules
• Often deliberately annoys people
• Often blames others for their own mistakes
• Is often touchy or easily annoyed
• Is often angry and resentful
• Is often spiteful or vindictive

There are various schools of thought referencing ODD. Some believe that it can be contributed to genetic predisposition or heredity. One fairly recent school of thought is a condition known as frontal lobe syndrome. Most believe it is more associated with cognitive distortions (faulty thinking), irrational beliefs, and self-defeating thoughts.

Please remember that one should avoid self-diagnosis at all costs. The information that I have provided you is diagnostic criteria (the conditions) that a professionally trained counselor or therapist uses in conjunction with a host of additional information from self-report measures, psychological tests, family interviews, and school reports. I hope this information proves to be helpful.

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