Treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

Oppositional defiant disorder treatment varies based on age, current health conditions and medical history.  The severity of the symptoms and the future outlook of ODD are important factors in deciding a treatment plan.  Additionally, your opinion or preference and the child’s tolerance to particular medications, procedures, or therapies are also vital to the

treatment plan.  Following is a list of treatments that are common in dealing with ODD:

• Medication
  • It is reported that medication is not usually effective in treating ODD.  However medication may be used if there are other disorders or symptoms present.
     
• Individual psychotherapy
  • The suggested psychotherapy for ODD involves a cognitive behavioral approach.  This type of psychotherapy involves improving the child or adolescent’s problem solving skills, communication skills, impulse control and anger management skills.
     
• Family therapy
  • This approach tries to works on making modifying the systems within the family.  Techniques such as improving communication skills and interaction within the family.  Family therapy would also offer support and understanding for parents as well as working on effective parenting techniques. 
    • Some parenting techniques include giving effective time-outs
    • Avoid power struggles
    • Remain calm and collect
    • Offer appropriate praise and consequences to good and bad behavior
    • Give choices or options for your child to choose from to help control your child
       
• Group therapy
  • This helps the defiant child develop their interpersonal, social and communication skills.

Parents at home can help their child with ODD by:

• Acknowledging and praising your child’s good behavior
• Choosing which battles you want to enter
• Create household chores or duties for the child and a daily schedule
• Set limits for your child
• Model the positive behavior
• With your partner work together to give consistent and appropriate punishments
• Establish clear boundaries

A defiant teen or a defiant child can make it emotionally draining for the parents, so for your own wellbeing counseling may help.  Also you can learn ways to reduce stress and take some time for yourself.  Don’t forget to be forgiving, forget what your child did yesterday and start each day fresh.