Ryan is a 12-year-old diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). As a small child, Ryan was first diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He had just started preschool and could not remain in one place for over a minute or two. His parents had already had difficulty disciplining him because he would become very upset and throw temper tantrums when he could not do as he wished.

Mental Health Care for Adolescence and Children Discussion

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms such as easy distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In this scenario provided, Ryan could not remain in one place for more than a minute or two (Preszler & Burns, 2019). He also had difficulty following rules and instructions, a sign of impulsivity. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a pattern of disobedient, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures. Ryan continues to refuse to listen to adults. Furthermore, he does not comply with the rules, which indicates ODD.

If Ryan’s behavior worsens and he starts to violate the rights of others, he may be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder (CD). CD is a mental health disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of aggressive, defiant, and antisocial behavior that violates the rights of others (Fairchild et al., 2019). This can include bullying, physical aggression, property damage, and violation of rules and laws. The diagnosis is given when these behaviors are more severe and persistent than what is typically seen in children and adolescents with ODD. A qualified mental health professional diagnoses CD after a thorough evaluation, typically including a detailed history, observation, and interviews with the child, parents, and teachers.

One of the management options for ADHD and ODD is pharmacological therapy. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine are commonly used to treat ADHD and can also be effective in reducing impulsivity and aggression in individuals with ODD (Retz et al., 2021). Atypical antipsychotics, such as Risperidone and Aripiprazole, have also been effective in reducing ODD and aggression symptoms.

Therapy for the parents is important because it can help them develop the skills and strategies needed to manage Ryan’s behavior effectively. One rationale for this is that therapy can provide parents with a better understanding of ODD and how it can affect behavior (Dopfner et al., 2021), which can help them identify triggers for Ryan’s negative behavior and develop appropriate responses. Another rationale is that therapy can also help parents address their feelings and reactions to Ryan’s behavior and learn how to respond calmly and consistently.

References

Döpfner, M., Liebermann-Jordanidis, H., Kinnen, C., Hallberg, N., Mokros, L., Benien, N., … & Dose, C. (2021). Long-term effectiveness of guided self-help for parents of children with ADHD in routine care—an observational study. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(2), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718810797

Fairchild, G., Hawes, D. J., Frick, P. J., Copeland, W. E., Odgers, C. L., Franke, B., … & De Brito, S. A. (2019). Conduct disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0095-y