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

Diagnosing ODD In Children

A child must see a licensed mental health provider to receive an accurate oppositional defiant disorder diagnosis. This includes undergoing a comprehensive psychological evaluation. What the doctor discovers during this evaluation helps them with their ultimate diagnosis. The second major component of an accurate diagnosis is testimony from the parents. As such, parents are encouraged to be honest about their child's behavior rather than try to make it appear minimal. Leaving out pertinent details only hurts a child's diagnosis and may leave their medical treatment lacking. Their tests, of course, will all include checking against the DSM-5 requirements.

Continue reading for information on the severity of oppositional defiant disorder.