All you Need to Know About Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a mental health disorder in which children are always upset and have temper tantrums over seemingly normal events. Children with DMDD struggle to control their emotions in the same way that other children their age do.
Overview of DMDD:
DMDD is a type of psychiatric disorder. Only children are usually diagnosed with it. Irritability, emotional dysregulation, and behavioral outbursts are the most common symptoms. Temper tantrums are the most common sort of outburst.
In late adolescence and adulthood, DMDD can progress to anxiety disorders or non-bipolar or unipolar depression if left untreated. The best outcomes occur when assessment and intervention occur as early as possible in all mental health disorders in children. If you suspect your child has DMDD or a similar illness, don’t hesitate to seek expert help right away.
Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
The following are the signs and symptoms:
- Major outbursts occurring three or more times per week on average
- Anger or irritability in the intervals between tantrums
- Inability to regulate strong emotions
- DMDD symptoms commonly appear before the age of ten.
Causes of DMDD:
DMDD’s exact causes are unknown, but genetics, temperament, mental illnesses, and childhood experiences may play a role. It often starts in early childhood and can co-occur with other psychiatric problems, like depressive disorders and oppositional defiant disorder.
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Risk factors of DMDD:
Children with DMDD may have temperamental issues and have been more prone to:
- Challenging behavior
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Anxiousness
Diagnostic criteria in the past for:
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Panic Disorder
Having a family member with a mental illness may raise your risk. Male children are more likely than female children to have DMDD.
Complications of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are all conditions that might appear similar to DMDD. Children with DMDD are also more likely to have additional problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, depression, and anxiety. Children with DMDD are more likely to develop depression or anxiety in adulthood.
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Coping Strategies for DMDD:
- Recognize Your Child’s Triggers. If your child is prone to tantrums in certain places or situations, make a strategy ahead of time. Taking your child out of the scenario for a short time might sometimes assist.
- Safeguard Your Child by keeping any potentially dangerous objects out of reach if your child is prone to physical outbursts.
- Teach Coping Techniques. Children with DMDD who have learned coping skills are better at dealing with the tantrums.
- Encourage Positive Behaviors by rewarding appropriate behaviors with attention, praise, and privileges.
Diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
A medical doctor, psychologist, or nurse practitioner can diagnose DMDD. Only after a thorough examination can a diagnosis be made. An interview with caregivers and observation or meeting with the child should be part of the assessment. The assessment may include standardized questionnaires, school visits, and interviews with teachers or other caregivers.
Treatment of DMDD:
The purpose of DMDD treatment is to teach children how to manage their emotions and stop having tantrums. Behavioral therapy and, in some cases, medications are used in treatment.
- In the treatment of DMDD, a combination of dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C) and parent management training has proven to be particularly effective.
- The therapist in DBT-C does not teach the kid that they should not be angry. Instead, they assist the child to develop skills to help them calm down when their emotions spiral out of control. These skills are also taught to parents so that they can assist their children and experience staying calm themselves.
- Parents that attend parent management training learn how to reward their children for excellent behavior rather than punishing them for bad behavior.
- When counseling isn’t an option or when treatment isn’t working, the youngster may be given medication to assist them in controlling their emotions. The most commonly prescribed drugs for DMDD are antidepressants and stimulants.