Every teen gets angry, it’s effectively a rite of passage into adolescence. Teen anger may show up in the occasional “No”, defiant behavior, or vy for complete independence. But what happens if the usual teen anger turns into verbal aggression, breaking objects, or extreme antagonistic behavior?
If you’ve noticed these behaviors in a teen in your life, it’s possible they’re struggling with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). ODD affects between 3 and 16% of teens and, while it’s relatively common, the mental health condition isn’t well-known. So, you’ve likely got a number of questions about ODD.
To answer all of your queries on ODD in teens and adolescents, below we’ll cover what it is, its signs, and how it affects teens. We’ll also discuss the most effective treatment options for teens with diagnosed ODD.
Teens struggling with ODD tend to appear hostile, defiant, and uncooperative on the surface, especially towards their parents and other authority figures, such as tears.
If you’re a parent, you’ll likely be asking at this point: but aren’t all teens defiant? And the answer is generally yes. However, the difference between typical teen behavior and ODD is in the intensity, frequency, and disruptiveness of their behaviors.
For example, you may expect any teen to argue back when you tell them to tidy their bedroom. Teens diagnosed with ODD, on the other hand, may refuse altogether. They may have a sudden angry outburst; yelling, slamming doors, and even potentially becoming physically or verbally aggressive.
As you can see, the intensity of the defiance of ODD in teens is significant interferes with their daily lives in many ways, such as with their school work and family relationships.1
ODD takes shape in different ways depending on the child who’s experiencing it. As such, the signs and symptoms of authority-related anger in youth with ODD will be unique to you or your child. Nevertheless, there are some common signs we tend to see across the board.
The emotional indicators and behavioral patterns of anger in ODD teens include:
Like with many mental health conditions, there is not one single cause of ODD in teens. Instead, many factors tend to weave together to form a complex web, making it difficult to pin down exactly what causes ODD.
Nevertheless, research points to several important risk factors that make an ODD diagnosis in teens more likely:
Frequent family arguments can also increase the risk of ODD in teens. What’s more, a higher percentage of teens struggle with ODD if they grew up in single-parent homes, poverty, or with family members facing a mental illness.2,3
More research is needed to fully understand the link between genetics and ODD in teens. However, these findings suggest that ODD is at least partially associated with certain genes.
The amygdala is effectively the emotional processing hub of the brain. It’s the area responsible for processing many of our emotions, especially our emotions linking to our survival instincts, such as those relating to rage, anxiety, and fear.
These differences in the brain may be linked to the severe difficulties teens diagnosed with ODD have managing their emotions.
Living in an overly-crowded neighborhood, having deviant or defiant friends, facing social rejection from peers, or experiencing multiple life stressors are all believed to be associated with ODD.3
However, it’s important to remember that no teen wants to have angry outbursts or struggle with their mental health.
In fact, ODD takes a significant toll on teen’s lives, affecting not only their home life, but also their relationships and school. ODD in teens can lead to:
Reading through all of the difficulties teens with ODD may face can be a little disheartening. But don’t fret—many treatment options are available to help teens cope.
If you’re seeking professional support for yourself or someone in your life who’s tackling ODD, there are many avenues you can go down. Let’s explore each in detail.
Residential treatment is ideal for many teens with ODD, as it offers a structured, stable environment with a consistent routine and clear expectations. Residential programs also offer intensive therapy, giving teens with ODD constant access to highly trained therapists, allowing them to get the support whenever they need.
As we know, the environment can play a big role in a teen’s life, impacting their ODD in many ways. Residential treatment removes teens from these potential triggers, giving them space from stressors that could worsen their symptoms.
Most residential treatment programs, and especially those we offer at Mission Prep, encourage family involvement. We do this through family therapy sessions to improve communication and continual communication. This can give not only teens, but also parents the tools to support their child with ODD.
There are many different disciplines of therapy, each focusing on healing in slightly varied ways. Here are some of the most effective therapy approaches for teens diagnosed with ODD:
Behavioral modification in inpatient programs focuses on helping teens improve their behavior by offering positive reinforcement (rewarding positive behaviors with positive outcomes). This motivates teens to make positive changes to their behavior, and as they repeat these behaviors, they become more automatic and natural.
A trained CBT therapist can also help improve a teen’s communication and behavior by learning new skills and thought patterns.
Residential programs often offer anger management training, which can support teens diagnosed with ODD to acknowledge, understand, and regulate their difficult emotions. This can help them to catch their feelings in the moment and choose to respond in healthier ways.8
One of the main difficulties teens with ODD face is challenges with peer relationships. As such, peer group therapy can be extremely productive for teens with ODD and anger issues, as it gives teens a chance to bond with other teens who are experiencing similar difficulties.
In peer group therapy, teens can share their experiences, listen to others, and develop social skills, all which can help them cope with their ODD diagnosis.
The main focus of social skills training in youth ODD residential programs is to teach social and emotional skills, helping teens live their lives while minimizing the difficulties their ODD diagnosis may pose.7
Social skills training can teach teens healthy communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving—all skills they may find challenging due to their ODD diagnosis.
Parent training has two key benefits for teens in residential ODD treatment. Firstly, it gives parents the knowledge and skills they need to support their teen and manage their challenging behaviors. Secondly, it helps parents dig deep and actively recognize the unhealthy family dynamics and how these may be playing a role in their teen’s ODD.3
At Mission Prep, we understand the social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties teens with ODD often have. Due to this, we make resources for each of these areas of difficulty a fundamental part of our residential programs, helping teens develop the tools they need to not only cope, but thrive.
What’s more, we know every teen is unique, and so they need a completely individualized treatment approach. We have the resources at Mission Prep to ensure the treatment your teen receives complements their lifestyle, personality, and needs.
Reach out to us today and get comprehensive support either for yourself or a teen you know struggling with ODD.
Find out if Mission Prep is right for you by reaching out to us and speaking with one of our admissions representatives.
