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-
- Outbursts those are inconsistent in the development age. It is seen that the kid suffers from outbursts 2-3 times in a week.
- The mood of the kid remains irritable and angry in between two periods of outbursts,
- 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-
- Behaviour modification therapy
- Educating family and teachers about this problem and how to deal with the outburst
- Taking preventive measures like assigning the kid to a safe place to control the outburst.
- Use of the stimulant medication for controlling the stress and anger
- Classroom support
- Modifying the diet of the kid
- Counselling from the school psychologist
- Observing the kid for the individual triggers
- Addressing and finding out the problem on family dysfunction
- 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.
