These days it’s seen around that a lot of parents are complaining about their kids being very griping and it leads to a large drift between the parents and their children. It has been found in recent studies that a significant percentage of the young population is suffering from mental disorders that are lesser known in our society and not much attention is paid to them.
One of the disorders that is very common in Indian youth but not acknowledged as much is Oppositional Defiant Disorder(ODD). Let’s delve into the effects of ODD. This is behavioural disorder, characterised by defiance, hostility, and disobedience towards authority figures. Symptoms include frequent temper outbursts, arguing with adults, refusing to comply with rules, and displaying vindictive behaviour.
The cause of ODD is still a mystery. But, some experts consider family dynamics and trauma as the possible environmental causes while there can be biological factors as well that include factors such as genetics and neurobiology. In Indian society, ODD is having a very profound effect on the relationships of young individuals with their parents, especially. Managing the behaviour of a young individual suffering from this disorder can be challenging for the parents at times, it can be overwhelming and can lead to heightened levels of stress and anxiety within the household.
In extreme cases, this disorder can adversely affect academics and disrupt daily life, and strong enough to tremendously affect the overall well-being of the individual. One of the most impactful consequences of this disorder is that it raises a lot of conflict between the individual and authority figures, where the affected person can be found arguing very often and not complying with the rules which leads them into terrible situations.
Individuals suffering from ODD from a young age are very prone to other mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. ODD stigmatise their brain in such a way that it finds itself more vulnerable to more mental disorders which makes ODD a very alarming disorder if diagnosed.
A multimodal approach is needed to tackle this disorder, an approach that affects both individuals' behaviour as well as family dynamics, and this can include approaches ranging from behavioural therapy to medication.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques can be used to mitigate the effect of this disorder. Training the parents in such a way to teach them strategies for managing their child’s behaviour and family therapy can also help set consistent boundaries and address underlying issues contributing to the child’s behaviour. Medication can also be used to exacerbate the symptoms of ODD.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder presents significant challenges for individuals, their families, and communities. Comprehensive treatment approaches can alleviate the noxious effects of ODD. Parents, educators, and mental health professionals need to recognise signs of ODD as early as possible.
Indian society has lagged in acknowledging mental health problems. In recent years the trend is changing and more and more people from all age groups are getting educated about the importance of mental health. But there is still a long way to go down this road especially for the older generation to get acquainted with the mental disorders which can occur within youth and cause strain in relationships. ODD is one of those lesser-known mental disorders and by fostering understanding, empathy, and effective management strategies we can support individuals with ODD to thrive to their full potential and have a less strained social life.