An Overview Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Here in this post, we are providing insight about “Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)”. You can read Overview, Differences, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Risk Factor. You can discuss more your problems in our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Mental Health.
Overview of DMDD
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a childhood mental disorder in which a child has irritability, angry mood, severe temper outburst
Children with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder were misdiagnosed by pediatric bipolar disorder. Even though they did not have manic and hypomanic episodes of bipolar disorder.
DMDD symptoms start before 10 years of age. DMDD is not a diagnosis in children under 6 years or adolescents over 18 years.
Children with DMDD have temper outbursts involving yelling, pushing, hitting, or destruction of property. They have trouble making healthy relationships with family and peers. They experience difficulty in social gatherings and participating in social activities such as team sports.
Difference between Bipolar and Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
The key features of Bipolar disorder are manic and hypomanic episodes but in Disruptive mood dysregulation manic and hypomanic episodes are not present. Key features of DMDD are irritability and angry mood.
Symptoms of DMDD
- They are irritable or having angry mood most of the time
- Severe temper outbursts either verbal or behavioral occur an average of 3 or more times in a week.
- Their functioning is markedly disturbed due to irritability in more than one place such as school, home, and with peers.
- The child experienced symptoms of DMDD for 12 months or more months.
With the passage of time, the symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation may change and treatment is decided accordingly. For example, adults and adolescents show fewer temper outbursts but experienced anxiety and depression more.
Diagnosis of DMDD
For diagnostic purpose first step include assessing the child’s health, identifying the problem, and evaluating of describe symptoms. To get a clear view of the child’s problem an interview of the teacher, parents, the caregiver should be conducted.
Certain questionnaires and measures may use for the rating. The evaluation of mental health provider gives you a clear picture of you children problem which may be underlying in their behaviors.
Risk Factors of DMDD
Chronic Irritable children are diagnosed more with DMDD. This includes those children who are struggling to deal with anger and adapt to change themselves without losing their control at a very young age.
Children who have an earlier diagnosis of ADHA or anxiety can give an additional diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. DMDD is more common in boys than girls.
DMDD Coexist with other Disorders
The disruptive mood dysregulation disorder diagnostic criteria are used to separate children having different mental health disorder that leads towards temper outburst and irritability including Autism Spectrum disorder, Intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder or bipolar disorder.
Substance use disorder, Major depressive disorder, and ADHD. Children diagnosed with DMDD in childhood are more prone to have depression and anxiety as adults.
Treatment
DMDD treatment includes following
- Psychotherapies
- Parent Training
- Medications
- Coping
Psychotherapies
- There are the following two therapies used.
- CBT
- DBT
Cognitive behavior therapy
CBT is used to learn children how to deal with feelings and thoughts that cause anxiety and depression. For Anxiety, the child is exposed to the situation that causes anxiety and learns that how to respond to that situation effectively. Certain techniques are used to teach the child how to control their anger and frustration.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for children
DBT helps children to control and regulate their emotions and avoid severe temper outbursts. It can only be effective when used with parent training.
Parent training
Parent training teaches caregivers or parents teaches how to avoid certain situations that cause their children to become angry.
Medications
The following categories of medicine can use for DMDD
- Stimulants
- Antidepressant
- Antipsychotics
- Mood Stabilizers
Medicine should be used carefully because it may cause symptoms more worst.
Stimulants
Stimulants are used to treat irritability in ADHD children. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored in people taking stimulant medications.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants is used to treat mood changes and irritability. For this reason, a child taking an antidepressant should be monitored closely, especially when they first start taking the medication. Children who taking medicine first time should be monitored to avoid any complications.
Atypical Antipsychotic
The atypical antipsychotic is used to treat temper outbursts including physical aggression towards property and people.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are used to treat mood changes.
Coping
- Parents should understand the triggers of their children.
- Encourage and give reward to the children for their positive actions and behaviors.
- Teach them deep breathing to deal with anger issues.
Helpful Resources
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/index.shtml
- https://www.verywellmind.com/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder-4774447
- https://www.healthline.com/health/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder