Essay on "Oppositional Defiant Disorder"

Essay 5 pages (1338 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (OCD) refers to a spectrum disorder on the low end of all those disorders linked to the general disorder group Conduct Disorder. In a sense ODD is usually classified as rule breaking behaviors that do not necessarily develop into socially inappropriate behaviors, though there is some grey area in this subjective characterization, but the basic historical distinction is that ODD symptoms are more rarely associated with actual physical harm to others. (Loney & Lima, 2003, p. 4) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSMR IV) there are fewer subscale distinctions between general CD (previously viewed as more severe) and ODD. The classification then includes two subgroups of CD/ODD, childhood onset and adolescent onset which each have age appropriate opportunity distinctions of symptomology. In childhood onset CD/ODD the individual child exhibits three of fifteen aggressive or rule breaking behaviors with at least one being documented prior to age ten and with symptoms that have been experienced within 12 months and at least one within the past 6 months. The list includes: bullying, fire setting, lying to obtain goods or favors and truancy. Adolescent onset CD/ODD is similar but with the exception that no symptoms were documented prior to age 10. Diagnostic are similar short of the fact that one violation does not have to have occurred in the last 6 months. In addition both childhood and adult onset ODD/CD include non-specific disruptive behaviors as a residual diagnostic category/criteria. (Loney & Lima, 2003, p. 9)

The difficulties of defining and diagnosing ODD as well as other Conduct Disorders in general are many and varied, not the least of which is the subjective nature of the behaviors themselves. While some parents, caretakers or educators could clearly evaluate ODD/CD symptoms in almost the entire population of a class many are reluctant to accept definitive diagnosis, as it tends to follow students and does not always take into consideration that ODD/CD symptoms may very well be associated with a real environmental challenge the child is facing. Some examples of such situations are profound grief, related to loss of friends, family members or even beloved pets or objects (depending on age). Additionally, children are highly sensitive to social conditions and if they change they may exhibit disruptive behavior as a way to seek attention. Some of these same people (parents, caregivers and educators) might also say that there is a clear difference between ODD/CD kids and normal children experiencing temporary or even persistent environmental reactions, as with ODD/CD kids they cannot isolate reason and none can be found. The reality is that diagnosis is subjective as is behavioral recognition, and reluctance to diagnosis is likely wise, as diagnosis of ODD/CD can follow a child forever and impede his or her own self-growth, which could essentially (if they are misdiagnosed) lead them to "normal" variable behavior. Another reason why some are reluctant to allow diagnosis is indicative of the fact that there is a multivariate scale that can be over or under representative of reality, due to the fact that most research and knowledge is based not on a whole sample of the population of children but on a small subset of "clinical" patients. (Avila, Cuenca, Felix, Parcet & Miranda, 2004, p. 295) it is also clear that all researchers and diagnosticians do not agree on diagnostic or behavioral criteria for ODD/CD.

ODD typically occurs in early childhood and is characterized by behaviors such as arguing with adults, losing one's temper, and angry or intentionally annoying behavior. CD often develops later than ODD, in early adolescence, and is characterized by behaviors including stealing, lying, fire setting, truancy from school, and property destruction. Although children with ODD often are diagnosed with CD when they reach adolescence, not all individuals with CD have had a previous diagnosis of ODD (Lahey, McBurnett, (Dick, Viken, Kaprio, Pulkkinen & Rose, 2005, p. 219)

Finally, diagnosis of ODD/CD could be inappropriate if the individual would actually fit better into another category such as ADHD, and therefore would… READ MORE

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