Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

[razzle]

I was just wondering if anyone out there has a child who suffers from ODD?

My DS(9) has always been a 'difficult' child and after doing some research I feel that it is very likely that he has this.

I have an appointment with a peadiatrician next week.

It all started when he was about 2 and for the past 7 years I have been thinking that he will grow out of it. Not gonna happen!

I changed his diet when he was about 4 years old, not allowing certain preservatives, too much sugar and highly processed foods. He only occasionally has lollies/chocolate and in the last couple of weeks I have taken away soft drink altogether.

I love my little man so much and part of me feels he can't control himself sometimes, but this is extemely hard to deal with. I am at my wits end.

Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Pandora]

Hi there, I dont really have much experience with this but just wanted to give you a
I have had a bit of a look at a few ODD sites, cos some of it sounds like DS, but he's only 2 so its hard to tell if its terrible twos and will pass, or something else..

I hope it goes well with the paed, let us know how you get on.

[razzle]

Thanks so much rayray! I really appreciate that. Hoping to find some answers to it all soon.

[Pandora]

Did you see your paed yet?
I was speaking to my mum about my DS and she reckons his behaviour is just normal for his age, but also mentioned that her neighbours son was diagnosed years ago with ODD. He has most of the main symptoms, and it has been, on the whole, under control and hasnt progressed to the next, more antisocial level thanks to early intervention.

[cindyb]

One of my brothers has ODD and was diagnosed when he was about 9 and he was a nightmare growing up, he has learning probs too and ADHD which doesnt help and was a heroin addicted baby (we adopted him when he was 3) so all that made for many a struggle between my mum and him as you can imagine.
Now though - I would say he still has it but is more aware (now 23) of it but he still, if you tell him something is black he will go on and on about how its white. He cant help himself but i have to say he gets in to the 'argument' and then all of a sudden he will just shut up coz he realises he is doing his thing again! it had to be hard for these kids not being able to control themselves.

How have you gone with the paed?

[razzle]

Hi girls,

Thanks for your replies.

We went to see the pead on Tuesday and unfortunately did not find any answers. Actually I felt that the doctor sort of fobbed be me off to be quite honest. He spent a bit of time getting to know DS, asking him all about himself, school, friends etc. DS was very co-operative and unbelievably polite - which he can be of course to other people - the problem is more with DF and myself, which is a common sympton of ODD ie. that the child will argue and be more defiant with the adults they are close to. The doctor then had DS play with some toys (still in the same room) while he asked me some questions about my pregnancy and the labour. DS was 8 weeks premature and I have heard, don't know how true this is, that babies born early - before 37 weeks - are more likely to suffer from conditions like ADD, ADHD, ODD etc.

We then spoke a bit about his biological father and his problems with drugs and alcohol and the doctor asked if I saw similarities between him and DS. When I said yes, and that it scares me, he said that he could be a 'chip off the old block'!!!! OMG, what am I supposed to do with that information???? I was really annoyed at that stage and then he went on to say that the whole step parent/new baby in the house could be the cause of things and would probably settle down soon because - "he is 9 now and he will probably grow out of it" - UM!! I had told him straight up this behaviour had been going on for over 7 years and that he was like it while I was still with his father and that I didn't feel that having a new baby had made it worse.

He then checked him over, his weigth, height etc which was all fine and then said to come back in 6 weeks if everything was still the same. Well, after 7 years of it being like this why does he think that it will be gone in 6 weeks????

Anyway, he suggested that DF and I go and do a parenting program, which we will. It is the Triple P one, has anyone heard of it? I posted in the parenting thread asking if anyone had taken part in it but havent received any replies.

Oh and before I was leaving he said "because he is so calm here I won't prescribe anything". Well thats good because I wouldn't be giving him anything anyway!!!!

I've decided that I will go back to my doctor and ask for another referral but this time to see a psychologist. There is a history of mental illness in my family so I need to get on top of this, I'm scared for my little man.

rayray - yeah a lot of the symptons are associated with the 'terrible twos' but most kids grow out of that, whereas kids with ODD seem to keep on with that defiant behaviour.

cindyb - that arguing is such classic behaivour. Oh my DS is great at that one. And they actually thrive on these arguments. It is very sad.

Sorry for the rambling girls! Thanks for your interest BTW.

[Pandora]

Srry about your expereince with the paed. Maybe you could get a referral to a different one of those too.
Yeah my mums neighbour took her son initially (or very early on) to a child psychologist, maybe try to get a referral to one who specialises in it, as they wpuld be in the best place to make an assessment.
The Australian Psychological Society has a 'find a psychologist' section where you can search on specialties, age groups etc.

[Caramagic]

Olimoo, (this is my first ever contribution, so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, etiquette etc.) My son (nearly 11) seems to have most of the signs of ODD, and I could emphathise with your visit to the Paed. I did the same thing, sat down with him to find out the school hadn't sent any info to the Dr. , so there I am trying to use great tact in front of DS to convey what I needed to the Dr. The Dr just didnt seem to appreciate this, and after doing basic things like weighing DS, basically just said 'well not everyone does well at school, so encourage him in the things he does do well with, like sport'. I was very annoyed at both the school principal and the Dr. and I wouldn't bother going back to him. My son mainly shows his anger and anxiety in front of me, and less in front of his father. He describes his father as 'gross' but DS will happily go to the footy and other places with his dad. I know his dad does have some less than ideal habits, but its DS's obsessive trait that makes him harp on about DH. He can't stand DH having any physical/affectionate contact with me. I am thankful that the school holidays are now over, because at least once every day, there would be a scene with him getting upset and pedantic over something, then going on to blame his father and sister for all of it, as usual! Recently, he keeps saying he wants to join Scouts, hopefully he will like it and get some benefit, but I'm pretty doubtful he'll enjoy the quiet stuff. He's just stressing now due to fraction/decimal maths homework he brought home last night, which he doesn't really understand or even want to, so it's not a great start to the new term.