<a href="https://thehumancondition.com/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/">Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder</a> (DMDD) is a mental condition that can affect children and adolescents and is characterized by excessive displays of irritability or anger or by temper outbursts. Although most children experience occasional frustration and anger, those with DMDD display excessive and situationally disproportionate tantrums. They may yell, hit people, or lash out in other ways. This type of excessive temper display may negatively affect people’s lives at home, at school, and in other social circumstances.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments

<img src="https://thehumancondition.com/wp-content/themes/agape/images/share.svg" width="16" height="150"><h5>
																	 					 	THC Editorial Team					 						
					 </h5><h5>January 20, 2021</h5><figure><img src="https://thehumancondition.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Photo-by-Jyotirmoy-Gupta-on-Unsplash-scaled.jpg" alt="Image of child meditating" width="300" height="150"></figure><figcaption>
				 						 					 	Photo by Jyotirmoy Gupta on Unsplash					 				 </figcaption>Contents<h2>What Is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?</h2><a href="https://thehumancondition.com/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="8" title="Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder</a> (DMDD) is a mental condition that can affect children and adolescents and is characterized by excessive displays of irritability or anger or by temper outbursts. Although most children experience occasional frustration and anger, those with DMDD display excessive and situationally disproportionate tantrums. They may yell, hit people, or lash out in other ways. This type of excessive temper display may negatively affect people’s lives at home, at school, and in other social circumstances.<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/index.shtml" rel="nofollow noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" dir="ltr">1</a>DMDD is a new diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition; DSM-5).<a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596" rel="nofollow noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" dir="ltr">2</a> In the past, many children who had this condition were diagnosed with bipolar disorder even though their symptoms may not have completely fit that diagnosis. Currently, DMDD and bipolar disorder are two separate diagnoses. Children who are diagnosed with DMDD do not typically develop bipolar disorder later in life, but they are more likely to experience a mood disorder, such as <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/mental-health-and-conditions/depression/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">depression</a> or <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/anxiety-and-related-conditions/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">anxiety</a>.<a href="https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Disruptive-Mood-Dysregulation-Disorder-_DMDD_-110.aspx" rel="nofollow noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external" dir="ltr">3</a><img src="https://thehumancondition.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Large-Horizontal-Banner-requested-by-BetterHelp-1056x433-3.jpg" alt="BH Affiliate - sponsor, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) article" width="2112" height="866"><h2>What Are the Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?</h2>The main symptoms associated with DMDD are as follows:2<UL><LI>severe temper outbursts (verbal or behavioral) that typically occur three or more times per week</LI><LI>persistent and long-term <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/category/emotions/sadness/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">sadness</a>, irritability, or anger that occurs most days and is experienced between outbursts of temper</LI></UL>However, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate that a person has DMDD. They are also associated with conditions such as <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/persistent-depressive-disorder/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">persistent depressive disorder</a>, <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/category/anxiety/separation-anxiety-disorder/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">separation anxiety disorder</a>, <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">posttraumatic stress disorder</a>, and autism spectrum disorder.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13101301" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">4</a> Additionally, children who have DMDD may have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past, but they cannot be diagnosed with both disorders simultaneously under current DSM-5 rules.<h3>Differences Between Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Pediatric Bipolar Disorder</h3>DMDD is a newly established disorder that helps distinguish children who do not meet the criteria for bipolar disorder (BD) but were often labeled as such because BD seemed to be the closest diagnosis based on their symptoms. BD involves distinct mood episodes, whereas DMDD involves chronic irritability.4 Another notable difference is that people who have BD experience periods of mania or hypomania that are absent among people who have DMDD. In addition, people with DMDD experience consistent irritability or bad moods, whereas those with BD typically experience such mood changes only during manic or hypomanic episodes.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000483092.35899.a7" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">5</a><h2>Causes and Risk Factors of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder</h2>Although researchers have not yet discovered the exact cause of DMDD, some studies have revealed that certain physical factors may contribute to this condition among children.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2018.07.007" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">6</a> One longitudinal study investigated abnormalities in reward-processing systems in children with DMDD. The study’s results indicated that abnormalities involving neurons in the brain are likely the psychopathological cause of DMDD.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2015.0071" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">7</a>The following physical factors may contribute to DMDD:<UL><LI>abnormal neural pattern activation</LI><LI>reduced activity in the reward center in the brain</LI><LI>genetic predisposition toward irritability</LI></UL>According to the results of some studies, males are more likely to experience DMDD than females.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716664409" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">8</a> In addition, several other risk factors have been associated with DMDD:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.03.040" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">9</a>,<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4357333/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">10</a><UL><LI>parental bipolar disorder</LI><LI>maternal mood dysregulation during and after pregnancy</LI><LI>poor family relationships</LI><LI>economic difficulties</LI><LI>behavioral problems in school or with peers</LI></UL>Children who live in single-parent households of low socioeconomic status may also experience increased risk for developing DMDD.9<h2>How Is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Diagnosed?</h2>For a child or adolescent to be diagnosed with DMDD, associated symptoms must be present for 12 months or more. The symptoms must negatively affect the child in multiple settings and must be severely disproportionate to situational contexts or the child’s developmental level. Additionally, the child must be between the ages of 6 and 18 to receive this diagnosis.For a child to receive a proper diagnosis, a therapist may need to first rule out other conditions that share some of the symptoms associated with DMDD.<h2>Treatments for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder</h2>Healthcare professionals use psychological therapies, medication, and at-home behavioral interventions to treat children and adolescents with DMDD. Healthcare providers will develop specific, individual treatment plans for people who have DMDD based on the severity and frequency of their symptoms and on the location in which their symptoms are most likely to occur.Because this disorder is a new diagnosis in the DSM-5, researchers and practitioners have not yet identified which therapies treat this condition most effectively.10 However, since DMDD symptoms overlap with those of other mental health conditions, treatment models for other conditions have been shown to effectively treat DMDD.1,<a href="https://childmind.org/guide/guide-to-disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/treatment/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">11</a><h3>Psychological Treatments and Therapies</h3>Different forms of counseling, such as individual or <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/what-is-family-therapy/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">family therapy</a>, may be used to treat DMDD. Counseling efforts may also involve some school personnel if a child’s behavior affects their education.<a href="https://thehumancondition.com/therapy-and-treatments/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">Psychological therapies</a> such as the following should be the first line of treatment for DMDD:1,11,<a href="https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/disruptive-mood-dysregulation" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">12</a><h3>Medication</h3>Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medication for the treatment of DMDD. In certain cases, however, psychiatrists may prescribe certain off-label medications to treat DMDD. These include the following:1,4,10<UL><LI>mood stabilizers</LI><LI>antidepressants</LI><LI>atypical antipsychotics</LI><LI>stimulants</LI></UL>Medication should only be used to treat DMDD in cases where patients have already tried psychological therapies. If such interventions do not work in isolation, healthcare providers may prescribe medication in conjunction with continued therapy.<h3>At-Home Coping and Behavioral Intervention</h3>Caregivers can help children with DMDD cope with temper outbursts by using certain at-home behavioral change techniques. Some effective measures include the following:<UL><LI>offering positive reinforcement</LI><LI>knowing and avoiding outburst triggers</LI><LI>giving clear verbal instructions</LI><LI>redirecting</LI><LI>using time-outs</LI></UL>As a caregiver, if you pay attention to specific triggers that facilitate outbursts as well as the child’s behavior patterns, you may be able to recognize signs and redirect the child’s response. By doing so, you are better able to prevent an outburst and help the child handle their <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/emotions/" data-wpel-link="internal" dir="ltr">emotions</a> more effectively.<a href="https://evolvetreatment.com/for-parents/parent-guides/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">13</a>

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a mental condition that can affect children and adolescents and is characterized by excessive displays of irritability or anger or by temper outbursts.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

parenting

Parenting

mentalhealth

Mental Health

meditation

Meditation

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

What Is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?

<a href="https://thehumancondition.com/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/">Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder </a>(DMDD) is a mental condition that can affect children and adolescents and is characterized by excessive displays of irritability or anger or by temper outbursts. Although most children experience occasional frustration and anger, those with DMDD display excessive and situationally disproportionate tantrums. They may yell, hit people, or lash out in other ways. This type of excessive temper display may negatively affect people’s lives at home, at school, and in other social circumstances.<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/index.shtml">1 </a>

DMDD is a new diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition; DSM-5).<a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596">2 </a>In the past, many children who had this condition were diagnosed with bipolar disorder even though their symptoms may not have completely fit that diagnosis. Currently, DMDD and bipolar disorder are two separate diagnoses. Children who are diagnosed with DMDD do not typically develop bipolar disorder later in life, but they are more likely to experience a mood disorder, such as <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/mental-health-and-conditions/depression/">depression </a>or <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/anxiety-and-related-conditions/">anxiety </a>.<a href="https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Disruptive-Mood-Dysregulation-Disorder-_DMDD_-110.aspx">3 </a>

What Are the Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?

The main symptoms associated with DMDD are as follows:2

<ul><li>severe temper outbursts (verbal or behavioral) that typically occur three or more times per week </li><li>persistent and long-term <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/category/emotions/sadness/">sadness </a>, irritability, or anger that occurs most days and is experienced between outbursts of temper </li> </ul>

However, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate that a person has DMDD. They are also associated with conditions such as <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/persistent-depressive-disorder/">persistent depressive disorder </a>, <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/category/anxiety/separation-anxiety-disorder/">separation anxiety disorder </a>, <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/">posttraumatic stress disorder </a>, and autism spectrum disorder.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13101301">4 </a>Additionally, children who have DMDD may have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past, but they cannot be diagnosed with both disorders simultaneously under current DSM-5 rules.

Differences Between Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

DMDD is a newly established disorder that helps distinguish children who do not meet the criteria for bipolar disorder (BD) but were often labeled as such because BD seemed to be the closest diagnosis based on their symptoms. BD involves distinct mood episodes, whereas DMDD involves chronic irritability.4 Another notable difference is that people who have BD experience periods of mania or hypomania that are absent among people who have DMDD. In addition, people with DMDD experience consistent irritability or bad moods, whereas those with BD typically experience such mood changes only during manic or hypomanic episodes.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000483092.35899.a7">5 </a>

Causes and Risk Factors of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Although researchers have not yet discovered the exact cause of DMDD, some studies have revealed that certain physical factors may contribute to this condition among children.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2018.07.007">6 </a>One longitudinal study investigated abnormalities in reward-processing systems in children with DMDD. The study’s results indicated that abnormalities involving neurons in the brain are likely the psychopathological cause of DMDD.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2015.0071">7 </a>

The following physical factors may contribute to DMDD:

<ul><li>abnormal neural pattern activation </li><li>reduced activity in the reward center in the brain </li><li>genetic predisposition toward irritability </li> </ul>

According to the results of some studies, males are more likely to experience DMDD than females.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716664409">8 </a>In addition, several other risk factors have been associated with DMDD:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.03.040">9 </a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4357333/">10 </a>

<ul><li>parental bipolar disorder </li><li>maternal mood dysregulation during and after pregnancy </li><li>poor family relationships </li><li>economic difficulties </li><li>behavioral problems in school or with peers </li> </ul>

Children who live in single-parent households of low socioeconomic status may also experience increased risk for developing DMDD.9

How Is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Diagnosed?

For a child or adolescent to be diagnosed with DMDD, associated symptoms must be present for 12 months or more. The symptoms must negatively affect the child in multiple settings and must be severely disproportionate to situational contexts or the child’s developmental level. Additionally, the child must be between the ages of 6 and 18 to receive this diagnosis.

For a child to receive a proper diagnosis, a therapist may need to first rule out other conditions that share some of the symptoms associated with DMDD.

Treatments for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Healthcare professionals use psychological therapies, medication, and at-home behavioral interventions to treat children and adolescents with DMDD. Healthcare providers will develop specific, individual treatment plans for people who have DMDD based on the severity and frequency of their symptoms and on the location in which their symptoms are most likely to occur.

Because this disorder is a new diagnosis in the DSM-5, researchers and practitioners have not yet identified which therapies treat this condition most effectively.10 However, since DMDD symptoms overlap with those of other mental health conditions, treatment models for other conditions have been shown to effectively treat DMDD.1, <a href="https://childmind.org/guide/guide-to-disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/treatment/">11 </a>

Different forms of counseling, such as individual or <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/what-is-family-therapy/">family therapy </a>, may be used to treat DMDD. Counseling efforts may also involve some school personnel if a child’s behavior affects their education.

<a href="https://thehumancondition.com/therapy-and-treatments/">Psychological therapies </a>such as the following should be the first line of treatment for DMDD:1,11, <a href="https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/disruptive-mood-dysregulation">12 </a>

Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medication for the treatment of DMDD. In certain cases, however, psychiatrists may prescribe certain off-label medications to treat DMDD. These include the following:1,4,10

<ul><li>mood stabilizers </li><li>antidepressants </li><li>atypical antipsychotics </li><li>stimulants </li> </ul>

Medication should only be used to treat DMDD in cases where patients have already tried psychological therapies. If such interventions do not work in isolation, healthcare providers may prescribe medication in conjunction with continued therapy.

At-Home Coping and Behavioral Intervention

Caregivers can help children with DMDD cope with temper outbursts by using certain at-home behavioral change techniques. Some effective measures include the following:

<ul><li>offering positive reinforcement </li><li>knowing and avoiding outburst triggers </li><li>giving clear verbal instructions </li><li>redirecting </li><li>using time-outs </li> </ul>

As a caregiver, if you pay attention to specific triggers that facilitate outbursts as well as the child’s behavior patterns, you may be able to recognize signs and redirect the child’s response. By doing so, you are better able to prevent an outburst and help the child handle their <a href="https://thehumancondition.com/emotions/">emotions </a>more effectively.<a href="https://evolvetreatment.com/for-parents/parent-guides/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder/">13 </a>

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments - The Human Condition

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments

Abhi Paul's ideas are part of this journey:

Related collections

Similar ideas