What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children: Beyond Rebelliousness
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of the most common behavioral problems in childhood.
It is estimated that between 3% and 6% of children in the general population show symptoms of this disorder, while in clinical settings, cases can reach up to 28% – 65%.
Symptoms usually appear before age 8 and are more frequent in boys compared to girls during childhood.
These figures reflect the urgency of offering guidance to parents and educators on how to properly identify and manage this condition.
Supporting Families: The Mission of Ferreras Counseling & Wellness
Dr. María Ferreras is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Ferreras Counseling & Wellness Center.
Her center is a space dedicated to providing therapeutic support with a culturally competent and close-to-the-community approach for the Latino population.
Through her experience, Dr. Ferreras shared practical tools to better understand ODD and guide families on their journey of support.
We invite you to visit the Ferreras Counseling & Wellness booth at our virtual fair to learn about more resources and services.
Watch interview
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
ODD is a behavioral pattern that goes far beyond a child’s typical disobedience. As Dr. Ferreras explains, it is a real problem that affects their neurodevelopment:
“It’s a pattern of behavior where the child shows anger, irritability, arguments, and disobedience… It’s a neurological problem, it’s at the brain level.”
Dr. Ferreras emphasizes that this is not a temporary bad behavior. It is a condition that requires professional attention, especially when a child gets angry easily, refuses to follow instructions, constantly argues with adults, and defies rules.
If this pattern is not addressed in time, it can escalate and become a significant obstacle in the child’s life.
This can affect their school performance, their relationships, and, in extreme cases, lead to antisocial behaviors.
The Roots of the Problem: Neurological or Environmental?
One of the most important questions about ODD is whether it is due to a neurological cause or if it is the result of the family environment.
According to Dr. Ferreras, the answer is that both factors can influence it.
Neurological problems can have a genetic origin, and Dr. Ferreras makes this clear:
“Many of the problems, the mental disorders in human beings in general, come from genetics.”
However, the family environment is a factor that can aggravate or mitigate the problem.
A dysfunctional family with constant arguments, neglect, or lack of affection can fuel this negative pattern.
As Dr. Ferreras tells us, the parenting style is a “law of sowing and reaping” that directly affects a child’s development.
Money doesn’t buy values, and quality time is irreplaceable.
The Importance of Parenting and Seeking Help
According to the expert, the solution is not to give in to the problem or assume that the child is “lost.”
The key is to seek help in a timely manner, get educated, and learn to manage the situation with the right tools.
“If you know something, it’s my motto, do something,” Dr. Ferreras stresses, alluding to the need not to ignore the signs of ODD.
Psychological therapy is fundamental.
During sessions, parents receive psycho-education, learning to understand the disorder and how to manage it with effective techniques.
She also highlights the importance of ruling out other health problems that may be affecting the child’s behavior, collaborating with pediatricians to perform neuropsychological examinations.
Key Points from the Interview
Here is a summary of the most relevant points from our conversation to get a quick understanding of Oppositional Defiant Disorder:
- ODD is a pattern of anger, irritability, and disobedience that should not be normalized.
- The problem can be neurological, with a genetic basis.
- It can also be aggravated by the family environment and lack of attention.
- If left untreated, it can lead to antisocial behaviors, poor performance, and legal problems.
- “Psycho-education” for parents is crucial for treatment.
- Children who are not attended to can have poor emotional management.
- The absence of parental figures or family dysfunction aggravates the disorder.
- Excessive use of electronic devices contributes to the isolation of children.
- The lack of affection and attention can lead to a feeling of abandonment.
- ODD complications can include substance abuse and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation.
- Money does not buy values; parenting is fundamental.
- A person who is constantly irritable, angry, and confrontational has a problem that cannot be ignored.
- It is important to know that professional help is accessible and confidential.
- Treatment can improve the life of the child and their family environment.
- Seeking help in a timely manner is the best way to ensure a healthy future for the child.
Visit Ferreras Counseling & Wellness
If you need help for your family, Dr. Ferreras and her team are ready to assist you.
- Address: 439 South Union St. in Lawrence, MA (in the same building as the Social Security office, suite 104).
- Phone: 978-6-48-8515
- Website: https://myhealthfair.com/booths/ferreras-counseling/
At My Health Fair, we work every day to ensure health resources are available to everyone.
We invite you to visit our virtual fair at www.myhealthfair.com, explore our blog, and meet our vendors, who are key allies in the mission of caring for the health of our community.
The conversation with Dr. Ferreras took place at the AguilaRadio.com studios, as part of a collaborative effort to bring valuable messages to our community.
This content is developed and distributed by My Health Fair, in line with our mission to bring reliable health resources to Latino families in Massachusetts.
Our goal is to ensure more people have access to clear information validated by specialists, no matter where they are.
