Oppositional defiant disorder affects children aged 6-9 who display argumentative, disobedient and hostile behavior towards authority figures. It is closely related to conduct disorder and is more common in boys. Low socioeconomic status, antisocial parents, or loss of a caregiver may be causative factors.
Oppositional defiant disorder is recognized by the American Psychological Association as a mental health disorder affecting children between the ages of six and nine. It is characterized by argumentative, disobedient and hostile behavior towards authority figures, as well as a general negative attitude. The severity of the challenge can range from mild to uncontrollable.
The behavior associated with this disorder is very normal and common in four- and five-year-olds. This age group typically exhibits intentionally annoying behavior, throwing tantrums, arguing, and ignoring requests made by adults. While this behavior is difficult, it usually passes by age six, which is why oppositional defiant disorder isn’t diagnosed clinically at an early age. However, older children who are diagnosed with the condition have almost always displayed difficult behavior in infancy and early childhood. Before the age of six, these children are typically irritable, have a difficult temper in childhood, and are argumentative in kindergarten.
True oppositional defiant disorder, the one that is diagnosed clinically, affects about 1-4% of children, most often boys. It is closely related to another behavioral problem known as conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is characterized by aggressive and hostile behaviors in children over the age of nine through adolescence, including violence, vandalism, and theft.
Not all children with oppositional disorder develop conduct disorder, but interestingly, research shows that all children diagnosed with conduct disorder also had oppositional defiant disorder when they were younger. Mental health professionals believe that around 25% of children with the condition will also develop a conduct disorder. Some, but definitely not all, people who have had one or both disorders are at increased risk for antisocial or psychopathic personalities as adults.
It is not known for certain why some children develop oppositional defiant disorder. Mental health professionals believe that low socioeconomic status, antisocial parents, or the loss of an important caregiver may be causative factors in this type of personality disorder. However, it is often found in extremely intelligent or gifted children who are labeled opponents because they tend to think outside social norms and question authority as a result. Gifted children usually grow out of this behavior as they mature.
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