You can point a finger at the parents or staff or program but at least they tried to get the kid some help. Maybe it was the wrong help or did not work but they cared. Look at all the kids who take their own lives who had parents who never did anything to try to help them, if we don’t have sympathy for those program parents we should deffinately not have any for those parents who do nothing. Programs could hold these photos and lists up to parents and say this is what happens if you turn your back on your child and not listen to the warning signs.
or the parent could have helped the child through AMA certified programs and not back woods snake oil programs. sure dont listen to what medical professionals say. go with an off the wall program.
http://www.grmc.com/adam/Health%20Illus ... /1/001537/Oppositional defiant disorder
Definition
Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. To fit this diagnosis, the pattern must persist for at least 6 months and must go beyond the bounds of normal childhood misbehavior.
Causes
This disorder is more prevalent in boys than girls. Some studies have shown that 20% of the school-age population is affected. However, most experts believe this figure is inflated due to changing cultural definitions of normal childhood behavior, and other possible biases including racial, cultural, and gender biases.
This behavior typically starts by age 8. The cause of this disorder is unknown, and may be due to a combination of biology and parenting or environmental factors.
Symptoms
* Arguing with adults
* Loss of temper
* Angry and resentful of others
* Actively defies adults' requests
* Spiteful or vindictive behavior
* Blames others for own mistakes
* Is touchy or easily annoyed
* Few or no friends or loss of previous friends
* Constant trouble in school
Exams and Tests
The pattern of behaviors must be distinguished from what is commonly observed in other children of similar age and developmental level, and must result in significant social or academic problems.
Evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist may be recommended. In children and adolescents, depression and attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may cause similar disturbances in behavior, and should be considered as alternate or additional diagnoses.
Treatment
The best treatment for the child is individual psychotherapy. The parents should also learn behavioral management skills. Medication may be helpful if the behaviors occur in the course of another condition (such as depression, childhood psychosis, or ADHD).
Punitive treatments like boot camps and "behavioral modification" schools which restrict contact with parents, and place the child among other disturbed children, can do more harm than good.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome varies. Some children respond well to treatment.
Possible Complications
In a significant proportion of cases, the adult condition of conduct disorder can be traced back to the presence of oppositional defiant disorder in childhood.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have concerns about your child's development or behavior.
Prevention
Consistency in rules and fair consequences should be practiced in the child's home. Punishments should not be overly harsh or inconsistently applied.
Appropriate behaviors should be modeled by the adults in the household. Abuse and neglect increase the chances that this condition will occur.
and here is another one
http://www.yourhealthconnection.com/topic/adam1000919Definition
Conduct disorder, a disorder of childhood and adolescence, involves chronic behavior problems, such as defiant, impulsive, or antisocial behavior; drug use; or criminal activity.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Conduct disorder has been associated with family conflicts, child abuse, poverty, genetic defects, and parental drug addiction or alcoholism. The diagnosis is more common among boys and is estimated to be as high as 10%.
However, because many of the qualities necessary to make the diagnosis (such as "defiance" and "rule breaking") can be subjective, it is hard to know how common the disorder really is. For accurate diagnosis, the behavior must be far more extreme than simple adolescent rebellion or boyish exuberance.
Conduct disorder is often associated with attention-deficit disorder, and the two together carry a major risk for alcohol and/or other drug dependence.
Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, difficult to control, and unconcerned about the feelings of others.
Symptoms
* Cruel or aggressive behavior toward people and animals
* Destruction of property, including fire setting
* Lying, truancy, running away
* Vandalism, theft
* Heavy drinking and/or heavy illicit drug use
* Breaking rules without apparent reason
* Antisocial behaviors, such as bullying and fighting
Signs and tests
Some of the common signs of conduct disorder are bullying, fighting and staying out at night without concern for curfew or other limits. These children often make no effort to hide their aggressive behaviors and have difficulty making close friends. The diagnosis is made on the basis of a history of these kinds of behaviors.
Treatment
Successful treatment requires close involvement of the child's family. Parents can learn techniques to help manage their child's problem behavior. In cases of abuse, the child may need to be removed from the family and placed in a less chaotic environment. Treatment with medications or talk therapy may be used for depression and attention-deficit disorder, which commonly accompany conduct disorder.
Many "behavioral modification" schools, "wilderness programs," and "boot camps" are sold to parents as solutions for conduct disorder. These may use a form of "attack therapy" or "confrontation," which can actually be harmful. There is no research support for such techniques. Research suggests that treating children at home, along with their families, is more effective.If you are considering an inpatient program, be sure to check it out thoroughly. Serious injuries and deaths have been associated with some programs, which are not regulated in many states.
Expectations (prognosis)
Children who have severe or frequent symptoms tend to have the poorest prognosis. Expectations are also worse for those who have other illnesses such as mood and drug abuse disorders.
Complications
Children with conduct disorder may go on to develop personality disorders as adults, particularly antisocial personality disorder. As their behaviors worsen, these individuals may also develop significant drug and legal problems.
Calling your health care provider
See your health care provider if your child seems to be overly aggressive, is bullying others, is being victimized, or continually gets in trouble. Early treatment may help.
Prevention
The sooner the treatment for conduct disorder is started, the more likely the child will learn adaptive behaviors and prevent some of the potential complications.
Review date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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