First off, if your child tells YOU to SHUT UP and you do it, your parent card should be revoked immediately. Second, if your child SLAPS you on national television, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO REMAIN CALM. Just know that if it were me, collars would grabbed and excessive force would be implemented among other things. If you child does things like this or worse, then sir/ ma’am, your son or daughter is out of control. You have tried everything possible but it looks like you are headed to a dead end. They act out in public, they scream and throw tantrums and are possibly even emotionally and physically abusive. Consider this, does he/she have a Psychiatric Disorder?

Check this out:

Has your child had a pattern of negativistic, hostile,  and deviant behavior at least the last 6 months, in which (4) or more of the following were present:

1. 1. Often loses temper
   2. Often argues with adults
   3. Often actively defies you or other adults
   4. Deliberately annoys adults
   5. Blames others for his behaviors or mistakes
   6. Often touchy or easily annoyed
   7. Angry and resentful
   8. Spiteful and vindictive

   Do these apply to your child too?

1. Behaviors cause significant issues with both academic and social interactions
2. The child does not have a diagnosed psychotic or mood disorder
3. The child is less than 18 years of age and has yet to be diagnosed with a conduct disorder.

If your child meets 2-3 of the four criteria above, you should have them immediately evaluated by a licensed and board-certified Psychiatrist with experience treating Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Both Dr. Phil and I know this but to the untrained eye this may just be another “bad kid”. However, a disorder doesn’t make you bad but it can disable you in some ways like not being able to properly deal with emotions or the people around you. Now, don’t get it confused. If your child goes into the grocery store and knocks all the cookies off the shelves and rides on the check-out line conveyer belt every time you go, he/she may have a lil touch of bad behavior in them.

What types of problematic behaviors are your kids displaying? I’ll try to advise if you tell me about it in a comment below.

What’s Your Current Mental Status?… Click on the link below and take Dr.O’s Mental Evaluation Screening to assess your current mental status:
http://www.drowensmd.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=7

Dr.O

(Reference: American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, text revision, 4^th ed. Washington, DC American Psychiatric Association, Copyright 2000)