Hearing that your child engages in aggressive behavior may be challenging to process. No parent wants their child to face assault allegations or treat others violently. Teenagers who engage in violent behavior may exhibit signs in early childhood.
Some children who engage in combative behavior may have an oppositional defiant disorder or ODD. According to WebMD, teens who have ODD may argue with adults, become spiteful or have outbursts of anger.
Can ODD lead to assault allegations?
Just because a teen has ODD does not mean he or she engages in violent behavior. However, ODD can impact a teen’s social and school lives. Your teen may have antisocial behavior or use drugs and alcohol to cope. Everyone who remembers being a teenager knows that teens have lower impulse control. However, kids with ODD have more trouble than normal controlling their impulses. When they cannot control their anger or impulses, they may have a higher risk of starting fights.
Can you support your teen with ODD?
There are various ways you can help a teenager who struggles with ODD. When you address the problem, you lower your teen’s chances of becoming involved in combative or aggressive behavior in the future. Counseling can provide teens with anger management skills. Cognitive therapy may reshape your teen’s thinking to improve his or her behavior.
In some cases, having therapy with your teen may help. Family therapy teaches both parents and kids how to interact with one another. You may also learn to alter your child’s behavior with various strategies.
In some cases, teens with ODD may require medication.
