There are so many types of diagnoses out there for bad child behavior. We’ve all heard of ADD (Attention deficit disorder) and the more recently introduced ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Well now there is a new disorder called ODD.
The ODD acronym stands for “Oppositional Defiant Disorder”, which is “a disruptive behavior disorder of children” by definition. How nice that kids who used to be called naughty and later just plain bad now have an official label! Notice that the definition leaves much up to the interpretation, and dare I say imagination, of the diagnosing therapist.
How about these main symptoms of ODD:
* Negativity
* Defiance
* Refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
* Negativity
* Hostility towards authority figures
* Frequent temper tantrums
* Deliberate annoyance of other people
* Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior
* Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior
* Spiteful or vindictive behavior
* Aggressiveness toward peers
* Difficulty maintaining friendships
* Difficulty maintaining friendships
Hmmm… Now if you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Yeah, isn’t that just a regular ‘ol kid who needs a severe attitude adjustment”? The little-known truth is that these are psychiatric diagnoses, not medical diagnoses. And psychiatric conditions are difficult to diagnose or prove. There is no blood test or CAT scan that show real proof the “disease” exists. Psychiatrists and other health professionals rely on:
* Information gained from interviewing the child
* Information compiled from parents and teachers, etc. who may fill out forms or questionnaires
* Their clinical judgment and experience
If these things form the underlying data for arriving at an ODD diagnosis, isn’t there sure to be inconsistency from day to day and doctor to doctor? So many variables, including the mood and daily circumstances of both patient and physician are at play here.
So why are these psychiatric diagnoses being treated with medical drugs? It seems there should be an easier way to help a child behave better than to just automatically pull out a prescription pad. Treatments for ODD range from expensive therapy to expensive medications. However, if your child is showcasing the symptoms stated above, something obviously needs to be done to correct their behavior.
There are far better options than drugging your child. Did you know that there are parents out there who have successfully turned around their “bad” kids in a short amount of time without medicating them? It’s true! You may want to see what a parent like that has done and learn from their example before trying the drugs and professional therapy route. There are even parents who are willing to teach you what they did.
Learn more about the tested, proven behavior repair kit that has been effective for years for so many parents who were at the end of their rope and needed results fast! Check it out today and see a change within weeks.