Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is DMDD?SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentCopingPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is DMDD?
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Prognosis
Many children experience “temper tantrums” and periods of irritability. However, DMDD goes beyond that and becomes a condition that can greatly impact children’s lives.
Learn more about the symptoms of DMDD, as well as how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
What Is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)?
DMDD is a mental health diagnosis made in childhood and adolescence. It involves persistent anger, irritability, and many severe temper outbursts. While it may initially sound like something that could be a “phase,” it is much more severe and can cause significant problems for the child at home, at school, and with peers.
The diagnosis of DMDD was developed to be more accurate when assessing youth who previously might have been diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder.The diagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder is no longer an option in the DSM. It was found to be overdiagnosed and the criteria inconsistently applied.
Studies have shown that children with DMDD typically do not go on to have bipolar disorder as adults but have a greater risk of experiencing depression and anxiety.
What Are Affective (Mood) Disorders?
Symptoms of DMDD
Children and adolescents with DMDD display the following symptoms:
Diagnosing DMDD
It might be difficult to tell initially if a child’s behavior is more than just a developmental phase. However, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional if the behavioral pattern lasts longer than a few weeks, causes distress, or interferes with their ability to function at school, at home, or with peers.
According to the DSM-5, the following factors are considered when diagnosing DMDD:
When speaking with the parents and caregivers, the doctor will ask for a thorough history. Parents and caregiver interviews are important to help the healthcare team understand what is happening and how it is affecting the child’s life. They might also request information from the child’s school and teachers, and they may interview the child.
The next steps may include a referral to a mental health professional, like apsychiatristorpsychologist, especially those trained in child and adolescent mental health.
There isn’t an established gold standard assessment tool for DMDD, but a psychiatrist may use the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia DMDD module, along with gathering information from parents and teachers.
It is important to meet with a trained mental health provider for an accurate diagnosis because DMDD can occur with other disorders like:
Treatment of DMDD
Treatment is always based on the individual child and their needs. Since DMDD is a newer diagnosis, there is little research on specific treatments.
Most treatment options are based on research about other related conditions associated with irritability, like mood disorders,ADHD, andanxiety. Fortunately, many of these treatments seem to also work for DMDD, but there is still research ongoing to look for DMDD-specific treatments.
DMDD treatment usually includes psychotherapy (talk therapy) and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy often is started first, with medications being added later, but sometimes they are both started at the same time.
Psychotherapy
There are a few different types of therapy being used for DMDD.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)can help show children and adolescents how to cope with their feelings and emotions. Another method being studied is dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C). It could help children regulate their emotions and prevent extreme outbursts.
While the child needs to receive therapy, parent training might also help teach the parents or caregivers how to effectively respond to and manage the child’s behavior, as well as how to spot potential triggers. It can also teach them the ideas of predictability and consistency, as well as rewarding positive behaviors.
The Different Types of Psychotherapists
Medications
Some medications used in DMDD include:
All medications have the potential for side effects, so it is important for the parents and caregivers to discuss these with the child’s healthcare provider and to monitor and report any observed side effects.
Coping With DMDD
Caring for a child can be challenging, especially when they have more specific needs like DMDD. It can cause stress and be overwhelming for both the caregiver and the child. As such, it is important for caregivers to take care of both the child and themselves.
Some ways for parents and caregivers to help themselves and the children include the following:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
DMDD is a serious illness in children as well as when they become adults.
Children with DMDD can experience significant challenges in school, at home, and in social relationships. They are unlikely to outgrow this condition, and the accumulation of difficulties during childhood may perpetuate limited opportunity and compromised well-being as they get older.
As adults, DMDD can lead to increased health problems (depression, other mood disorders, and/or anxiety disorders), continued emotional distress, financial strain, and social isolation.
Summary
Treatment involves talk therapy with a trained professional and may include medications that are used to treat mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, ADHD, and anxiety.
It is important to take care of your child and also to take care of yourself. Speaking with your child’s pediatrician or a mental health professional who has experience working with children and adolescents will help get your child the right treatment and direct you to other resources and support solutions.
Types of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent It
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): 2016 Jun. 3,DSM-5 Child Mental Disorder Classification.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596National Institute of Mental Health.Children and mental health: is this just a stage?.Mürner-Lavanchy I, Kaess M, Koenig J.Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;32(1):17-39. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4Yale Medicine.Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.Ivanović I.Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children With ASD: Autism Centre Experience. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jun 9;12:673169. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.673169National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Health Medications.Tourian L, LeBoeuf A, Breton JJ, et al.Treatment Options for the Cardinal Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;24(1):41-54.Copeland WE, Shanahan L, Egger H, et al.Adult diagnostic and functional outcomes of DSM-5 disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;171(6):668-74. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13091213
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): 2016 Jun. 3,DSM-5 Child Mental Disorder Classification.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596National Institute of Mental Health.Children and mental health: is this just a stage?.Mürner-Lavanchy I, Kaess M, Koenig J.Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;32(1):17-39. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4Yale Medicine.Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.Ivanović I.Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children With ASD: Autism Centre Experience. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jun 9;12:673169. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.673169National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Health Medications.Tourian L, LeBoeuf A, Breton JJ, et al.Treatment Options for the Cardinal Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;24(1):41-54.Copeland WE, Shanahan L, Egger H, et al.Adult diagnostic and functional outcomes of DSM-5 disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;171(6):668-74. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13091213
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): 2016 Jun. 3,DSM-5 Child Mental Disorder Classification.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596National Institute of Mental Health.Children and mental health: is this just a stage?.Mürner-Lavanchy I, Kaess M, Koenig J.Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;32(1):17-39. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4Yale Medicine.Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.Ivanović I.Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children With ASD: Autism Centre Experience. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jun 9;12:673169. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.673169National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Health Medications.Tourian L, LeBoeuf A, Breton JJ, et al.Treatment Options for the Cardinal Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;24(1):41-54.Copeland WE, Shanahan L, Egger H, et al.Adult diagnostic and functional outcomes of DSM-5 disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;171(6):668-74. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13091213
National Institute of Mental Health.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): 2016 Jun. 3,DSM-5 Child Mental Disorder Classification.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
National Institute of Mental Health.Children and mental health: is this just a stage?.
Mürner-Lavanchy I, Kaess M, Koenig J.Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;32(1):17-39. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4
Yale Medicine.Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
Ivanović I.Psychiatric Comorbidities in Children With ASD: Autism Centre Experience. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jun 9;12:673169. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.673169
National Institute of Mental Health.Mental Health Medications.
Tourian L, LeBoeuf A, Breton JJ, et al.Treatment Options for the Cardinal Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;24(1):41-54.
Copeland WE, Shanahan L, Egger H, et al.Adult diagnostic and functional outcomes of DSM-5 disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;171(6):668-74. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13091213
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