II. Epidemiology
- Prevalence: 3.3%
- Slightly more common in males until adolescence (then equal between genders)
III. Pathophysiology
- Behavior disorder in children with onset in preschool or elementary school
- On spectrum of behavior continuum
- Children
- Normal defiance in childhood (exercising autonomy)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (develops in 1-16% of children, 3.3% on average)
- Conduct Disorder (develops in 33-42% of Oppositional Defiant Disorder children)
- Adults
- Antisocial Personality Disorder (develops in 40% of Conduct Disorder children)
- Children
IV. Risk Factors
- Poverty
- Parental Nicotine use
- Prenatal nutritional deficiency
- Developmental Delay
- Detached or unresponsive parenting
- Maternal aggression
- Harsh punishment or abuse
- Inconsistent Discipline
- Lack of structured environment
- Community Violence
V. Symptoms
- Children and adolescents with disobedience and difficulty controlling their temper
- Usual onset by early elementary school
VI. Diagnosis: DSM V Criteria
- Six month or more of negative, hostile, argumentative, vindictive or defiant behavior
- Occurs during interaction with at least one person who is not a sibling
- Criteria: Requires 4 or more behaviors (any category) that the child demonstrates frequently
- Angry irritable Mood
- Loses temper
- Easily annoyed by others ("touchy")
- Angry and resentful
- Argumentative or defiant behavior
- Argues with authority figures (includes adults when occurring in children)
- Actively defies or refuses to comply with authority figure's requests or rules
- Deliberately annoys people
- Blames others for the child's own mistakes or Misbehavior
- Vindictiveness
- Spiteful or vindictive at least twice in the last 6 months
- Angry irritable Mood
- Severity: Related to number of settings affected (home, school, work, peers)
- Mild: 1 setting
- Moderate: 2 settings
- Severe: 3 or more settings
- Behaviors occur on most days in age <5 years, and at least weekly in age >5 years
- Behaviors are not consistent with typical behavior (esp. <5 years old), developmental level, gender, culture
- Results in distress in patient or others or signficantly impairs social, academic or occupational functioning
- Behaviors not limited to Psychosis, Substance Abuse, Bipolar Disorder or Mood Disorder episodes
- Does not meet criteria for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- References
- (2013) DSM V, APA, Washington D.C., p. 462-3
VII. Diagnosis: Screening Tools
- Free scales
- NICHQ Vanderbilit Assessment Scale
- SNAP-IV Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (Swanson, Nolan, Pelham)
- Commercial scales (fee charged for use)
- Child behavior checklist
- Connors 3
VIII. Associated Conditions
- Attention Deficit Disorder (up to 40%)
- Conduct Disorder (42%)
- Anxiety Disorder (14%)
- Major Depression (9%)
IX. Differential Diagnosis
- Difficulty following rules or oppositional behavior
- Irritability or negative affect
- Anger outbursts
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Intermittent explosive disorder
X. Management
- Treat comorbid Attention Deficit Disorder
- Stimulant Medications and Clonidine improve both Attention Deficit Disorder and comorbid ODD
- Treat comorbid Mood Disorders
- Fluoxetine has been shown effective for comorbid depression and ODD
- Atypical Antipsychotics (esp. Risperidone) may be effective for aggression and conduct problems
- Mental health referral (often group therapy, see programs below)
- Child therapy (including CBT)
- Problem solving skill training
- Collaborative problem solving (child problem solves with parents)
- Parent Training (parent management therapy)
- Teaches more positive and less harsh responses to child
- Disruptive behavior management
- Avoiding reinforcement of behaviors
- Timely and appropriate consequences
- Child therapy (including CBT)
XI. Prevention
- See Parenting Resources
- Preschool programs such as Head Start
- Parent Management Strategy programs
- Triple-P-Positive Parenting Program
- Incredible Years
- Parenting Through Change
XII. Complications
- See pathophysiology above
- Conduct Disorder (children)
- Antisocial Personality Disorder (adults)
- Substance Use Disorder