Question

Part 1: For each of the following impulse control disorder.

1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder 2. Intermittent Explosive Disorder 3. Conduct Disorder A. Define the disorder. B. What factors may contribute to the development of your assigned disorder? C. What manifestations will an individual with then disorder present with? D. What are priority assessments for an individual who has this disorder? E. What are priority interventions? F. Is pharmacological intervention indicated with the disorder? If so, what medications are used?

Answer 1

A) A disorder in a child marked by defiant and disobedient behaviour to authority figures.

The cause of oppositional defiant disorder is unknown but likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

B) The exact cause of ODD is not known, but both developmental and learned factors are believed to play a possible role in the disorder.

Developmental factors

One theory suggests that children with ODD:

• may have underlying “temperamental” challenges that make them quick to anger and slow to calm, making them vulnerable
• begin to experience problems in their toddler years
• may have had an unusually hard time separating from parents (“standing on their own two feet") while younger
• did not resolve their normal development issues in their younger years, leading to later behavioral problems

Learned factors

Another theory suggests that children with oppositional defiant disorder:

• developed unusually strong levels of negativity and pessimism (two main traits of ODD) because of a parent or other authority figure who meted out excessive punishment or other forms of negative reinforcement

• began to associate the parent or authority figure’s negative reinforcement with getting more attention, time and concern

• started a pattern of acting out in order to obtain more of this perceived “extra attention”

Other possible factors

Other possible factors in the development of ODD may include:

• permissive parenting, when a parent too often and too easily gives in to the child’s demands
• strong will in the child, which can be caused by any or all of the following:
  • ingrained personality characteristics
  • the mother’s exposure to certain harmful agents (such as cigarette smoke) while pregnant
  • lack of positive attachment to a parent
  • significant stress or a lack of predictable structure in the home or community environment

C) Symptoms in adults with ODD include:

• feeling angry at the world.
• feeling misunderstood or disliked.
• strong dislike for authority, including supervisors at work.
• identifying as a rebel.
• defending themselves vehemently and not being open to feedback.
• blaming others for their own mistakes.

D) Diagnosis

To determine whether your child has oppositional defiant disorder, the mental health professional will likely do a comprehensive psychological evaluation. Because ODD often occurs along with other behavioral or mental health problems, symptoms of ODD may be difficult to distinguish from those related to other problems.

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Evaluation will likely include an assessment of:

• Overall health
• Frequency and intensity of behaviors
• Emotions and behavior across multiple settings and relationships
• Family situations and interactions
• Strategies that have been helpful — or not helpful — in managing problem behaviors
• Presence of other mental health, learning or communication disorders

• Treatment

  Treatment for oppositional defiant disorder primarily involves family-based interventions, but it may include other types of psychotherapy and training for your child — as well as for parents. Treatment often lasts several months or longer. It's important to treat any co-occurring problems, such as a learning disorder, because they can create or worsen ODD symptoms if left untreated.

  Medications alone generally aren't used for ODD unless your child also has another mental health disorder. If your child has coexisting disorders, such as ADHD, anxiety or depression, medications may help improve these symptoms.