Brain Science Behind Impulses - Dr. Mani Pavuluri

What Dr. Mani Pavuluri Says about Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is actually the proposed disorder by the DSM-5 and it is said to be the alternative for the pediatric bipolar disorder. This problem cannot be diagnosed for the first time before the kid becomes 6 years old and after the age of 18. This disorder is featured by severe chronic mental instability and irritability that lasts for several years. The problem DMDD is also not accounted for by other mental disorders or any other substance abuse. It is one of the most common disorders of kids. 

Have a Look at the Symptoms of DMDD

When your kid is suffering from Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), you can find out the below symptoms in him or her. These symptoms are not so common until the age of 6 years, but they become intense when your kid reaches the age of 18. Have a look below-

1. Outbursts those are inconsistent in the development age. It is seen that the kid suffers from outbursts 2-3 times in a week. 
2. The mood of the kid remains irritable and angry in between two periods of outbursts,
3. The kid experience trouble functioning as for the irritability at least in two different areas like in home and school. 

Causes of DMDD

As per Dr Mani Pavuluri, there are no scientific reasons behind the actual cause of DMDD, some theories show that people who suffer from early psychological trauma and abuse might get affect with DMDD. Some of the other reasons behind this psychological disorder include family structure, poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, migraine headaches and also the neurological disability. 

Treatments and Prevention of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

There are no particular set of treatments for DMDD as said by Dr. Mani Pavuluri. However, therapy and consultation helps a lot in dealing with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, they are-

1. Behaviour modification therapy
2. Educating family and teachers about this problem and how to deal with the outburst
3. Taking preventive measures like assigning the kid to a safe place to control the outburst. 
4. Use of the stimulant medication for controlling the stress and anger
5. Classroom support
6. Modifying the diet of the kid
7. Counselling from the school psychologist
8. Observing the kid for the individual triggers
9. Addressing and finding out the problem on family dysfunction
10. Check out the timeout strategies

The right diagnosis of this mental disorder starts from the age of 7 and lasts till the age of 17 years. Thus, if your kid is suffering from DMDD, it is better to consult the therapist.

Dr Mani Pavuluri- Discussion on Executive Function

Mani Pavuluri Psychiatric Services

Negamani Kilar Pavuluri Psychiatric Services: Dr. Pavuluri is the founding director of both the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program and the Pediatric Brain Research and Intervention Center, and she has more than 30 years’ experience serving patients and their families.

Mani Pavuluri Psychiatric Services

Negamani Kilar Pavuluri Psychiatric Services: Dr. Pavuluri is the founding director of both the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program and the Pediatric Brain Research and Intervention Center, and she has more than 30 years’ experience serving patients and their families.

Dr. Mani Pavuluri- A Professional Psychiatrist Treating Bipolar Disorder in Kids

Paediatric bipolar disorder, also known as PBD is the bipolar spectrum illness that is seen in children and preadolescents. This disorder affects at least 1-2 % of the entire population. This problem is characterised by extreme mood dysregulation along with several other symptoms like decreased sleep, impulsivity and hypersexuality. These symptoms impair various domains of functioning in the kids. The PBD is actually different from the adult-onset bipolar disorder in several ways like the former patients suffer from rapid cycling, psychiatric comorbidity and mixed mood states. As compared to the healthy kids, those who are suffering from PBD can be recognized with academic underperformance, disruptive school behaviour with other peers and show neurocognitive deficits. Recent data from WHO shows that BD is the fourth major issue that leads to disability in kids between the ages 10-24. 

Pharmacotherapy is a common treatment for PBD but there is low response rate and has poor tolerability. Thus, Dr Mani Pavuluri found that adjunctive psychosocial intervention can be the best treatment for PBD in kids. You can follow her book What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents to have an idea on how she treats PBD. Apart from this, some other psychosocial treatments for the young generations suffering from bipolar disorder has been studied carefully. Some of the treatments that are tested to cure the bipolar disorders include the dialectical behaviour therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for the adolescents. But, only two treatments have found to be effective in curing the PBD. 

Here are some of the ways by which the patients suffering from bipolar disorder can be treated-

• Never Skip Taking Medicines

According to the experts, medicines help in leading a normal life. Lithium is a commonly used drug but it should be monitored with the blood tests to assure that the doses are correct. Skipping the right doses of the medicines will make PBD relapse again.

• Use Therapy To Control Bipolar Disorder

One of the important ways to treat the bipolar disorder is the use of the right therapy. According to the well reputed Dr Mani Pavuluri, therapy can help in reducing the mood fluctuations and depression in adolescents who are suffering from PBD.

• Support Is The Best Help

If you are a patient of PBD and you are isolated from your family members, then you are prone to suffer the mood changes frequently. But, support and help from the family members can be effective in controlling PBD.

• Stay Away From Alcohol And Drugs

It is estimated that about 50% of the patients suffering from PBD are either an addict of drugs or the alcohol. So, if you want to lead a PBD-free life, the first step you have to do is to stay away from alcohol and drugs.

Thus, it is seen that Pediatric bipolar disorder is a common psychological disorder affecting kids and adolescents. It is always suggested to take help from a renowned child psychiatrist like Dr Mani Pavuluri for the best treatment and therapy.