Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder clinically known as ODD, is a disruptive type of behavior pattern, commonly found in pre-adolescents and adolescents, wherein the person is downright rude, argues and enjoys going against the crowd, avoiding the beaten track to forge a new but weird path.
During infancy up to age 3, a child cannot differentiate between himself and his caretaker and hangs onto every word of his caretaker. However, as he grows rich in experiences, as more and more people make an entry into his life, he begins to differentiate between himself and others. As the ego develops, his feelings and opinions become distinct, he learns to assert himself and expects others to comply to his wishes. However, while most children discover that complying is a two way process, some resolve this issue with a few hard bumps.
However, a few turn into rebels with a huge attitude and expect others to tow the line always. When this is greeted with resistance, there is counter resistance and gradually such children tend to oppose the flow, always. Oppositional Defiant Disorder Among Teens is marked with insolence, going against the tide, deliberately arguing with authority figures, chalking a new and sometimes dangerous path, defying rules and questioning age-old customs. Oftentimes, such teens are at loggerheads with most people, as they misconstrue even the best of intentions.
While these are characteristic of any adolescent, it becomes disruptive when teens get into trouble often by flouting rules. Also, such teens enjoy getting into trouble, as this is a purely attention seeking tactics.
Sandra had lost her mother as a child. Her father remarried when she was 9 and like the fairy-tale step mother, the new lady obviously favored her children over Sandra and her father in order to make them feel at home, began neglecting Sandra. She sought her father’s attention by demanding it, by behaving oddly and getting reprimanded. This manifested in all her relationships, even in marriage. This impudence led to a divorce after which she went into depression. During counseling, an extreme inferiority complex was found to be the root cause of her impertinence.
Psychologically, people enjoy getting attention and children cannot discern how to get it. The one mistake caregivers make, is to ignore right conduct and react only when they notice a deviant behavior. Also, it’s human nature to find someone’s mistake and try to rectify it. Psychologically, this is termed identification- a defense mechanism, wherein we project our mistakes over others, identify them and admonish others. This gives some sort of pleasure to the critic, but can be extremely demeaning to the criticized. Constant criticism, especially when the criticism is un constructive, can result in Oppositional Defiant Disorder among teens and adults, for this serves as a protective shield. When you appear aggressive and rude, this can scare away others!
Oppositional Defiant Disorder among teens and adults is a result of a very repressive upbringing or occurs in extremely stressful and restrictive settings. The basic human mind charges itself to either fight or take flight when faced with oppressive situations. So Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a defense mechanism, where the person becomes aggressive to counter perceived aggression.
During counseling, the person is taught to modify their behavior to comply socially acceptable modes. Most importantly, teens are taught to handle criticism both constructive and un constructive, to beat the bully at his own game, without bullying. Children are taught to negotiate without having to compromise. Role modeling is most effective while dealing with oppositional defiant disorder among teens.
Melisa aged 16 was known to suffer from ODD. During therapy, with her life coach, all her past relationship hassles were brought out into the open. They enacted each scene, of how Melisa could’ve better handled the situation. Gradually, she learnt to deal with her sister’s rudeness, her boyfriend’s bossy nature, her relatives’ un constructive criticism and the bullies that life often throws. People began to suddenly admire and respect her. From being querulous and peevish, she blossomed to a calm, confident and self-assured girl.
Misplaced confidence is dealt with too. 17 year old Harry was a confirmed rebel who sped in his father’s car and his gang consisted of unruly youngsters who broke traffic rules and flouted authority. After getting penalized from high school, Harry joined an alternative school for troubled teens, where his behavior was monitored. While Harry’s behavior wasn’t on the dangerous side, he did show signs of being a miscreant. Harry was placed in a group, where youngsters work with openness. They were often given complicated and challenging puzzles to solve. They discussed and debated on several burning issues and a feeling of camaraderie coupled with responsibility was born out of this interaction. When the shift was from academics to intellectual pursuits, Harry began handling his life more responsibly. The program actually fostered leadership qualities.
