What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder And Could My Child Have It?

Appearance of Other Mental Health Conditions

Oppositional defiant disorder often has a high comorbidity rate with other psychiatric issues. The appearance of other mental health conditions is a serious complication. In some cases, ODD can lead to these issues; in others, it may be part of a larger overarching personality disorder or illness. There's been a lot of study regarding oppositional defiant disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorders. There have also been studies indicating many children with ODD also have depression or an anxiety disorder. Researchers believe the disorders may be comorbid because they're related to the same chemical imbalance in the brain. It's also possible environmental factors play a role. For example, if a child with oppositional defiant disorder feels their caregivers are disconnecting from them, they may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression.

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