Week 5: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University
NRNP 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I
14:59:06 GMT -05:00
, July 5, 2021 Disruptiv e Mood
By Stephanie Jones
Dysregula tion Disorder
As a parent, you have watched your
children grow, taken care of them, and
gotten to know who they are. You know
their behavior, their character, and their
attitude better than anyone. So what do you
do when you start to notice that they have
begun behaving in unexpected ways that
concern you?
It is easy to label troublesome behavior
as ‘growing pains,’ but we can’t dismiss
these changes when their behavior seems uncharacteristic or excessive, and it begins to interfere
with our child’s daily routine.
This blog will define Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, outline signs and symptoms of
DMDD, and offer pharmacological and nonpharmacological ways of treating DMDD. Lastly, it
will discuss community sources available to help in the treatment of DMDD in children.
What is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD is a condition in which a child experiences chronic, severe irritability and anger. It only
presents in children 7-18 years of age (Hilt & Nussbaum, 2016). A diagnosis of DMDD is
considered when symptoms occur before age 10 and have been present for at least 12 months in
more than one environment (e.g., at home, school, or with peers). A diagnosis of DMDD is also
more common in boys than in girls (National Alliance on Mental Illnesses, 2018)
Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
All children can become irritable sometimes. It is a normal response to frustration.
DMDD is a relatively new diagnosis. It first appeared in the DSM-5 in 2013. The American
Psychiatric Association DSM-5 (2013) has a specific list of diagnostic criteria, as follows:
Severe temper outbursts that may
manifest verbally or behaviorally and are
out of proportion to the situation and
inconsistent with developmental level.
Chronically irritable or angry mood most
of the day, nearly every day.
Trouble functioning due to irritability
in more than one place.
The temper outburst occurs, on average,
three or more times per week.
14:59:06 GMT -05:00
College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University
NRNP 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I
14:59:06 GMT -05:00
, July 5, 2021 Disruptiv e Mood
By Stephanie Jones
Dysregula tion Disorder
As a parent, you have watched your
children grow, taken care of them, and
gotten to know who they are. You know
their behavior, their character, and their
attitude better than anyone. So what do you
do when you start to notice that they have
begun behaving in unexpected ways that
concern you?
It is easy to label troublesome behavior
as ‘growing pains,’ but we can’t dismiss
these changes when their behavior seems uncharacteristic or excessive, and it begins to interfere
with our child’s daily routine.
This blog will define Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, outline signs and symptoms of
DMDD, and offer pharmacological and nonpharmacological ways of treating DMDD. Lastly, it
will discuss community sources available to help in the treatment of DMDD in children.
What is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD is a condition in which a child experiences chronic, severe irritability and anger. It only
presents in children 7-18 years of age (Hilt & Nussbaum, 2016). A diagnosis of DMDD is
considered when symptoms occur before age 10 and have been present for at least 12 months in
more than one environment (e.g., at home, school, or with peers). A diagnosis of DMDD is also
more common in boys than in girls (National Alliance on Mental Illnesses, 2018)
Symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
All children can become irritable sometimes. It is a normal response to frustration.
DMDD is a relatively new diagnosis. It first appeared in the DSM-5 in 2013. The American
Psychiatric Association DSM-5 (2013) has a specific list of diagnostic criteria, as follows:
Severe temper outbursts that may
manifest verbally or behaviorally and are
out of proportion to the situation and
inconsistent with developmental level.
Chronically irritable or angry mood most
of the day, nearly every day.
Trouble functioning due to irritability
in more than one place.
The temper outburst occurs, on average,
three or more times per week.
14:59:06 GMT -05:00
