The two main disruptive behavior disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. While criteria have been listed in the DSM, this article aims to look at how these diagnoses occur differently in girls. These disorders play a major role in the types of struggles these children will face as they grow up. Some of the main issues seen are social dysfunction, antisocial behavior, and poor adjustment (Kann, R. T. & Hanna, F. J., 2000). It is shown that both the male and female population has the same frequency ODD, but the female population has little to no information. Conduct disorder (CD) is defined as repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which either the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms
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One of the criteria for CD is fighting which in our society is linked to boys rather than girls. This may be due to the fact that males tend to externalize through violence, while females internalize and do not tend to act out in violence. This is a dangerous criterion because it causes diagnoses to be done later in females which prevent them from getting treatment as readily as males. When girls begin to be evaluated for CD it is because their behavioral problems have become very severe. It is also important to note that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with comorbid disorders. Psychoeducation is the key to gaining a better handle on diagnosis because it will make families aware of the sociocultural features within their family which they would have otherwise ignored. For example, mothers are the primary advocate for treatment of their children because they tend to pick up on differences. While this is helpful it is also problematic for the diagnosis of young girls because adults tend to sympathize with children of the same sex which causes them to ignore some maladaptive behavior (Kann, R. T., et al., …show more content…
While there is no research on the risk factors associated with girls, boys may have low SES, oppositional behavior, and parental substance abuse (Kann, R. T., et al., 2000). The research shows that boys who had fathers with substance abuse exhibited more aggression than boys who did not have fathers with substance abuse. Children who had been diagnosed with ODD had parents who had many factors associated with antisocial personality disorder and substance use. The mental health status of parents had more of an influence on girls than boys. While there is little to no research on the best treatment for girls with disruptive behavior disorders, there are many different treatment options for boys. The treatments include psychotherapy, medication, community based programs, inpatient treatment, and social services. These clients tend to feel agitation and aggression towards mental health professionals and it is important to be aware of countertransference and the emphasis on mutual respect which these clients value. To be an effective counselor to this population, mental health professionals must build a very strong foundation of trust and be empathetic. Once a trusting relationship has been formed, the counselor can continue to help the client with cognitive problem solving through role-play, and implement social skills training into the counseling
One of the criteria for CD is fighting which in our society is linked to boys rather than girls. This may be due to the fact that males tend to externalize through violence, while females internalize and do not tend to act out in violence. This is a dangerous criterion because it causes diagnoses to be done later in females which prevent them from getting treatment as readily as males. When girls begin to be evaluated for CD it is because their behavioral problems have become very severe. It is also important to note that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with comorbid disorders. Psychoeducation is the key to gaining a better handle on diagnosis because it will make families aware of the sociocultural features within their family which they would have otherwise ignored. For example, mothers are the primary advocate for treatment of their children because they tend to pick up on differences. While this is helpful it is also problematic for the diagnosis of young girls because adults tend to sympathize with children of the same sex which causes them to ignore some maladaptive behavior (Kann, R. T., et al., …show more content…
While there is no research on the risk factors associated with girls, boys may have low SES, oppositional behavior, and parental substance abuse (Kann, R. T., et al., 2000). The research shows that boys who had fathers with substance abuse exhibited more aggression than boys who did not have fathers with substance abuse. Children who had been diagnosed with ODD had parents who had many factors associated with antisocial personality disorder and substance use. The mental health status of parents had more of an influence on girls than boys. While there is little to no research on the best treatment for girls with disruptive behavior disorders, there are many different treatment options for boys. The treatments include psychotherapy, medication, community based programs, inpatient treatment, and social services. These clients tend to feel agitation and aggression towards mental health professionals and it is important to be aware of countertransference and the emphasis on mutual respect which these clients value. To be an effective counselor to this population, mental health professionals must build a very strong foundation of trust and be empathetic. Once a trusting relationship has been formed, the counselor can continue to help the client with cognitive problem solving through role-play, and implement social skills training into the counseling