About Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) & Conduct Disorder (CD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder may start as early as the preschool years, while Conduct Disorder generally appears when children are older. And it may be that Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a precursor of conduct disorder however, they are NOT co-occurring conditions.

Both mental disorders involve childhood disobedience that grossly violates accepted behavioral norms for children.

Core Symptoms or Behaviors:

 
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is Inflexibility
• Conduct Disorder (CD) is Physical aggression and Cruelty

 

 

Children with these illnesses are often relentless and show little remorse over their destructive actions. While attempts to control or discipline them tend to generate more defiance. Boys with this disorder outnumber girls.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) . . . willful behaviors/symptoms:
This is a child who, beyond all understanding, refuses to cooperate (ODD).

 
• Negative, hostile, defiant; will not comply with requests made by adults
• Persistent arguing with adults; belligerent, obstinate
• Intense rigidity and inflexibility; feel entitled to make unreasonable demands
• Touchy, resentful, spiteful; blame others when apprehended

 

 

Conduct Disorder (CD) . . . intentional behaviors/symptoms:
This is a child who relishes playing a destructive, villianous role with others (CD).

 
• Aggressive behavior and cruelty that harms or threatens other people or animals;
• Destructive behavior that damages or destroys property;
• Deceitfulness: Lying, “conning,” stealing;
• Disobedience: Serious violations of rules including running away from home;
• Lack of remorse for antisocial behaviors.

 

 

The earlier conduct disorder is identified and treated, the better the chance for success.

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Recognizing Early-onset Mental Health Disorders in Children