How to Help a Teenager With Severe Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Often diagnosed in children and adolescents, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) can be a challenging behavioral disorder for everyone involved. ODD is characterized by a pattern of vengeful or irritable moods, argumentative or defiant behaviors, or both. It can have a serious negative effect on a teen's relationships, academic performance, and general well-being.  Fostering positive outcomes for your teen diagnosed with severe ODD requires you to understand the condition and put effective strategies into practice. However, doing so is often easier than it sounds, and it’s difficult to handle on your own. There are strategies you can implement, however, along with therapeutic interventions when needed. Our team at Liahona Academy provides a therapeutic setting for your teen, giving them the opportunity to learn about ODD, how they can navigate its challenges, and more. Continue reading to learn more about oppositional defiant disorder, strategies you might consider for helping your teen, the value of a therapeutic program, and what other supports exist to help you and your teen.

Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder

As mentioned, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) usually first appears in childhood and can continue into adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents with ODD frequently exhibit aggressive behavior, persistent defiance, and a reluctance to follow instructions or rules from authority figures. They might purposefully irritate people, argue with adults frequently, and have a propensity to hold other people accountable for their errors or misbehavior. These behaviors can seriously interfere with your teen’s day-to-day functioning, which is why its vital to get them the help they need so they’re able to manage the condition more effectively.

What Strategies Can Parents Implement?

Although raising a teen with severe ODD can be difficult, there are strategies you can employ to deal with the behaviors: Set Clear and Consistent Expectations: Clearly define the expectations for behavior, as well as the rules and penalties, and apply them consistently. This takes persistence and patience, but it will pay off in the long run. Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward and acknowledge positive behavior as part of positive reinforcement. Give your adolescent praise for adhering to the rules, finishing assignments, or treating people with respect. Rewarding behavior can inspire desired behavior. Effective Communication: When addressing behavioral issues, use techniques for respectfully assertive communication. Steer clear of power battles and concentrate on finding compromises and solutions. Additionally, focus on using “I” statements to express how you feel. Establish Limits: Along with setting clear and consistent expectations, you also need to establish limits. Again, avoid getting into arguments or caving in to irrational demands, and try your best to keep your composure and show empathy. Seek Professional Assistance: Dealing with ODD behaviors is hard, especially when you’re trying to manage on your own. Speak with mental health specialists who focus on adolescent behavior disorders, such as our team, to see what additional support you need to ensure the best possible care for your teen.

Can a Therapeutic Setting Help?

If you’ve implemented the strategies above and your teen is continuing to struggle, it might be time to look for alternatives. For instance, a therapeutic residential setting could be advantageous for certain teenagers suffering from severe ODD. Programs like ours provide teens with support from qualified professionals, behavior management, and intensive therapy in structured settings. Teens also have access to 24-hour supervision, individual and group therapy sessions, support for their education, and training in life skills. While in our care, we teach teens to understand and address the underlying causes of their ODD, learn coping mechanisms, and practice self-regulation. Additionally, teens are able to build positive peer relationships as they begin to understand the value of a strong support system.

What Supports Should Parents Implement After Discharge From a Therapeutic Setting?

Therapeutic residential settings provide all-encompassing support, therapy, and other interventions that can address many aspects of managing ODD at home. As your child nears the end of our program, we’ll meet with you to explore what services should continue post-discharge to ensure your teen's progress continues. These services may include the following: Family Therapy: Family therapy addresses the dynamics of the family that are influencing behaviors, as well as helping to strengthen relationships and improve communication. It offers a nurturing setting where you and your teen can resolve disputes and create more positive interpersonal relationships. Behavioral Therapy: Teens can continue working on coping mechanisms, problem-solving approaches, and emotion regulation skills with the support of evidence-based behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of these therapies is to recognize and address harmful thought patterns and behaviors. Medication: In some circumstances, coexisting conditions like anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which frequently coexist with ODD, may require the prescription of medication. A licensed psychiatrist or doctor should prescribe and oversee medication. School Support: It might be necessary for you to work with educators and guidance counselors to create a welcoming learning environment for your adolescent. They can put accommodations in place, like a modified curriculum or behavioral intervention plans, to support your teen’s success in the classroom and help with academic challenges. Community Resources: Look into local support networks and resources for parents of kids with behavioral issues. Making connections with other families going through comparable struggles can be a great source of support, direction, and encouragement.

ODD Requires Patience and Consistency

Teen ODD management calls for persistence, patience, and a comprehensive strategy. You can assist your teen in overcoming the difficulties presented by this condition by understanding its nature, putting effective strategies into practice, and obtaining the necessary support services. Ultimately, the more support your teen has, the better the outcome. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help. Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/oppositional-defiant-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20375831 https://www.liahonaacademy.com/parents-guide-to-odd.html https://www.liahonaacademy.com/our-program.html https://www.liahonaacademy.com/contact-us.html https://evolvetreatment.com/parent-guides/odd/ https://www.thewholechild.org/parent-resources/age-13-18/oppositional-defiant-disorder