Research shows that it affects around 3% to 10% of children and adolescents, which makes it one of the most common behavioral disorders in this age group.1
However, the condition can have long-term effects if left untreated. Adults with untreated ODD as children are at a heightened risk of relationship difficulties, impulsivity, mood instability, substance use disorders, and antisocial behaviors.
In cases when defiant behaviors are so severe that safety becomes a concern, inpatient treatment may become a necessary route to recovery. ODD inpatient treatment programs offer compassionate, round-the-clock care and support, designed to help people heal.
On this page, you’ll learn about the available oppositional defiant disorder treatment options by exploring:
What oppositional defiant disorder is
An angry or irritable mood
Almost every child argues sometimes. But children with ODD argue a lot, lose their temper often, and get easily annoyed. They’re also believed to purposefully act in ways that upset others.
To officially be considered ODD, these behaviors must persist for at least six months. The behaviors tend to occur across multiple settings, for example, both at home and at school.
Further, if left untreated, ODD traits may show up in adulthood. In adults, the condition may present as hostility towards superiors at work, long-term anger and irritability, and resentment in personal relationships. The constant emotional charge also increases the risk of co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
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Parent management training. This can be a good option for young adults with ODD. It teaches parents practical skills to handle difficult behavior and strengthen positive habits. It’s based on the idea that rewarding good behavior works better than punishing bad. It has been reported to reduce defiance and aggression in people with ODD within a few months, though regular reinforcement is needed to keep the results going long-term.3
In most cases, these treatments are delivered in outpatient settings. Inpatient treatment is reserved for people whose problems are severe or have not responded to outpatient care.
Residential care for ODD provides 24-hour supervision and structured therapy in the following circumstances:
Professional help can be impactful when children are showing early signs of ODD, as well as those who are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. ODD can lead to frequent conflicts, social difficulties, and emotional distress that can have a direct impact on their development. Seeking help from a recovery center can include using approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for ODD, to promote positive change.
Mental health professionals within a therapy clinic can aid in assessing for an ODD diagnosis and treatment options. This can include assessing the severity of symptoms and the impact they have on the child’s functioning and development. Treatment within a behavioral treatment center can prevent ODD symptoms from worsening and causing additional challenges.
For example, one study looked at the effectiveness of inpatient treatment for families experiencing severe parent–child interaction problems. The results showed that all parent-reported measures improved during the four-week inpatient stay. Teacher assessments also reflected good progress, as children’s disruptive behaviors at school remained stable before admission but showed significant improvement by follow-up.5
Another long-term study comparing residential to day treatment reported better behavioral outcomes for young adults who received full residential care.6 Improvements in the following behaviors were noticed:
Anger
These benefits don’t just extend to children and young adults – they also apply to adults with persistent ODD.
While ODD inpatient treatment can be effective for reducing symptoms, many people may worry about what the process looks like. Despite misconceptions about inpatient treatment often perpetuated in the media, residential care is compassionate and person-centered. Let’s take a look at what the process typically involves.
Inpatient treatment for ODD is rarely a one-person job. It’s delivered by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, family therapists, nurses, and social workers. The following sections provide a breakdown of what to expect from these treatment programs.
A good inpatient assessment forms the foundation of effective treatment. The assessment includes a detailed interview with the person to understand the nature, frequency, and intensity of defiant behaviors. A risk assessment is also conducted to identify any immediate harm to self and others.
A full medical review also takes place to ensure that behaviors are not linked to neurological or developmental problems.
Inpatient programs also include standardized tests to evaluate cognitive function, learning abilities, and academic performance.
There’s also a functional behavioral assessment, which identifies the triggers for problematic behaviors. The purpose of this assessment is to understand what the person gains from defiance, such as attention, control, or escape from demands.
Once the assessment is complete, the team discusses findings with the individual and family (if the person is a minor) and develops an individualized treatment plan.
Research supports a multimodal approach; in other words, several treatment methods are used together rather than relying on just one. For example, individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy programs may be introduced to provide the person with well-rounded support.
Individual therapy sessions are typically based on CBT, which helps people understand the link between their thoughts and behaviors. They can learn to recognize triggers, control anger, and replace impulsive reactions with more constructive responses.
Many young adults with ODD come from homes where conflict is routine. Therefore, family therapy involves the parents and siblings to rebuild healthy communication.
Inpatient units also often include small group sessions where patients role-play social situations and learn how to react in appropriate ways.
No matter how skilled the clinical team is, long-term progress in the treatment of ODD depends on what happens at home. For adults with ODD, this may involve educating family members on setting boundaries, creating new communication patterns, and family therapy.
Additionally, family involvement may be particularly important for young adults who live with their parents. Parent management training is almost always included in inpatient care, as it gives parents the structure to reset family patterns that may have been reinforcing defiance. In this process, parents learn to identify triggers for defiant behavior, respond calmly, use consistent consequences, and reward positive actions.
Finally, family members are often educated about ODD; what causes it, why punishment doesn’t work, what to expect from treatment, and how to stay consistent with it. They may also receive peer support, where they can connect with others facing similar challenges.
Anger and emotion regulation training: These sessions help people identify their early signs of frustration. This is followed by learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing, brisk walking, counting, or distancing from hostile environments. Anger control programs based on CBT are known to reduce emotional outbursts.7
Outcomes of ODD Inpatient treatment are improved if the progress is carried forward once the person returns home.
As the stay draws toward its end, the treatment team begins developing the aftercare plan, which covers:
Furthermore, the addition of digital or remote support to aftercare can improve the reintegration process, for example, video calls between inpatient therapists and patients. For example, an experiment showed that people who received video follow-ups had better quality-of-life scores than those without such support.11
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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ODD often starts in childhood, but its effects can reach far into adulthood. A Mission for Michael (AMFM) provides comprehensive, compassionate care for adults who have suffered through ODD. We offer residential treatment centers in California, Minnesota, and Virginia, each of which has a calming, structured environment for recovery.
Our programs combine evidence-based therapies, holistic approaches, and wellness-focused interventions to help you build emotional stability.
If you or someone you love struggles with the long-term effects of defiant or disruptive behavior patterns, we’re only a call away. Contact us to learn more about our residential and inpatient mental health programs.
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