Oppositional Defiant Disorder Treatment Begins at Home

Oppositional defiant disorder treatment can often be implemented by an affected child's parents right in the home. It involves consistent reinforcement of rules and behavior to provide the child with the structure he or she needs to overcome the condition. While some of this will happen in therapy, much of it occurs on a daily basis as the child faces challenges at home.

To determine whether or not your child truly needs this type of intensive treatment, you first need to determine whether or not oppositional defiant disorder is the cause of their problems. Most children and teenagers exhibit occasional defiance, rebellion and uncooperativeness as a natural part of growing up. But, when children and adolescents are persistently argumentative, hostile, and defiant, especially toward adults and authority figures, they may be experiencing oppositional defiant disorder. If this type of behavior is consistent for a period of six months, it is time to seek professional help, especially if the behavior is disrupting your family and your child's academic and social life.

Visiting your pediatrician is the first step. He may recommend counseling for your child and your family as an effective oppositional defiant disorder treatment. This counseling would likely consist of:

Individual counseling, so a child can talk about feelings and fears privately with a therapist.
Family counseling in which the child, parents, and possibly siblings work together on family relationships by talking and role-playing.
Parent-child interactive therapy, in which a parent is coached by a therapist when interacting with a child.
Cognitive behavioral therapy during which a child is coached in replacing negative, disruptive behaviors with positive, constructive behaviors.
Social skills training to help a child get along better with peers, parents, and other authority figures.
Behavior modification training for parents, including:
Using of effective time-outs.
Avoiding power struggles. Parents should selectively pick their battles.
Remaining calm and unemotional in the face of disruptive or oppositional behavior.
Recognizing and praising good behaviors whenever possible.
Giving children some reasonable life choices to give them a sense of control.
Sticking to a schedule of regular meals and family activities.
Making sure that consequences are realistic enough to be enforced.
Giving your child a chore to instill a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
Working with your spouse or partner to ensure a unified strategy.
Giving your child unconditional love and acceptance no matter what the circumstances.

Medical experts sometimes recommend prescription medication as a treatment for oppositional defiant disorder if it is related to anxiety, depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Oppositional defiant disorder may be hereditary or it may be the result of: a chemical imbalance in the brain, inconsistent or harsh discipline, lack of supervision, child abuse/neglect, or family instability, including troubled marriages, divorce, and constant moving or changing schools. Risk factor may include a previous diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder in a parent.