Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Children with DMDD show persistent irritability with angry temper outbursts.
SpecialtyPsychiatry, clinical psychology
DurationOften resolves by adulthood
Risk factorsTemperament, environment, genetics
Differential diagnosisBipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, conduct disorder
TreatmentMedication, therapy
Medicationstimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a mental disorder in children and adolescents characterized by a persistently irritable or angry mood and frequent temper outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation and significantly more severe than the typical reaction of same-aged peers. DMDD was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a type of depressive disorder diagnosis for youths.[1][2] The symptoms of DMDD resemble many other disorders, thus a differential includes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety disorders, and childhood bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder (IED), major depressive disorder (MDD), and conduct disorder.[3][4][5]

DMDD first appeared as a disorder in the DSM-5 in 2013[6] and is classified as a mood disorder.[3] Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) developed the DMDD diagnosis to more accurately diagnose youth who may have been previously diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder who had not experienced episodes of mania or hypomania.[7]

Diagnosis requires meeting criteria set by the DSM-5, which includes frequent and severe temper outbursts several times a week for over a year that are observed in multiple settings.[3] Treatments include medication to manage mood symptoms as well as individual and family therapy to address emotion-regulation skills.[4] Children with DMDD are at risk for developing depression and anxiety later in life.[3][6]

  1. ^ "A Guide to DSM-5: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)". medscape.com. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  2. ^ "Highlights of Changes from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5" (PDF). psychiatry.org. American Psychiatric Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-03.
  3. ^ a b c d Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. 2013-05-22. ISBN 9780890425541.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Weis R (2014). Introduction to abnormal child and adolescent psychology (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE. p. 477. ISBN 9781452225258.
  7. ^ "Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics". National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved 2024-01-16.