Does My Child Have Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?

Does your child show severe recurrent temper outbursts manifested verbally (e.g., verbal rages) and/or behaviorally (e.g., physical aggression toward people/property) that are grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the situation or provocation?

Are the temper outbursts inconsistent with developmental level?

Do the temper outbursts occur, approximately, three or more times per week?

Is your child’s mood between temper outbursts persistently irritable or angry most of the day, nearly every day, and noticeable by others in the child's environment?

Have the symptoms in questions 1-4 been present for at least 12 months (and throughout that time, your child did not experience a period of 3 or more consecutive months without all of these symptoms)?

Can you confirm that the criteria in question 1 (severe, recurrent verbal/behavioral outbursts) and 4 (mood between temper outbursts is persistently irritable or angry most of the day, all day) are present in at least two of three settings (i.e., at home, at school, with peers) and are severe in at least one of these?

Can you confirm that the diagnosis was not made for the first time before age 6 years or after age 18 years?

Is the age of onset of the criteria in questions 1-5, by history or observation, before 10 years?

Can you confirm that there has never been a distinct period lasting more than 1 day during which the full symptom criteria, except duration, for a manic or hypomanic episode have been met?

Can you confirm that the behaviors do not occur exclusively during an episode of major depressive disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder [dysthymia])?

Can you confirm that the symptoms are not attributable to the effects of a substance or to another medical or neurological condition?

Your child does not have disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

It is unlikely your child has disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. However, if you are worried about your child’s symptoms, don’t hesitate and seek professional help. The first thing you can do is planning a visit to your doctor. The doctor may refer you to a specialist in case he thinks that is necessary. This specialist can conduct several tests to find out the cause of the symptoms.

While it is unlikely that your child has disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, he is displaying several signs that are related to the disorder. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is diagnosed by a doctor or psychologist after thorough assessment. Assessment usually involves interviews with the parents or caregivers and teachers, and observing the child. If the disorder left untreated, the disorder can cause anxiety disorder or depression later in life. The best treatment outcomes will be obtained when treatment takes place as early as possible.

Unfortunately, your child is displaying numerous symptoms typically seen among individuals who have disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. A visit to your family doctor is required in this case. Treatment of this disorder usually involves psychotherapy/behavioral therapy, medication or a combination of both. A doctor should explore treatments without medications first. Treatment should also include parents.