Are you concerned that your teen may be experiencing the symptoms of a mood disorder or another mental health condition? If you’re noticing extreme shifts in mood, you might be wondering if a condition like disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) could be the cause. As a parent, it can be hard to understand your teen’s emotions and behaviors. This can be especially challenging when they behave in erratic, uncharacteristic ways. 

What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder?

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), sometimes shortened to disruptive mood disorder, is a mental health condition that affects children and adolescents. The condition typically develops between ages 6 and 10 and can affect adolescents up to age 18. DMDD is characterized by chronic, intense irritability and frequent outbursts. Children with DMDD experience severe temper outbursts, on average, three or more times per week, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). This condition should not be ignored or untreated, as it may become more severe.

While intense feelings can sometimes seem like a natural part of the teenage experience, it’s important to pay close attention to your teen’s moods. Persistent anger and disproportionate responses that disrupt daily life may be symptoms of a mental health condition. If you’re wondering if your teen matches the criteria for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, learning about the condition’s symptoms can help. You may also want to seek a professional evaluation for your teen. This can help identify the underlying causes of your child’s symptoms, enabling your family to pursue effective solutions.

4 signs and symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

• Frequent outbursts — Does your child or teen often have big emotional outbursts? Frequent displays of intense anger may be indicative of DMDD. These outbursts do not always have an obvious cause. They can be triggered by relatively insignificant conflicts or challenges; for example, your teen may start to shout or become physically aggressive over a simple chore. When these outbursts occur, it’s important to recognize that there is more going on. While an emotional outburst from your teen may seem spontaneous, it is likely the result of strong pent-up feelings and difficulties with regulating emotions. Therapy can be a great way to work through these challenges and help your teen find emotional stability.

• Chronic irritability — Teens experiencing DMDD are often irritable and have a hostile baseline mood. A common aspect of this irritability and negative attitude is escalation. If your teen is experiencing the symptoms of DMDD, they may quickly become aggressive and escalate small-scale conflicts. This aggression will not necessarily fade. Adolescents experiencing DMDD may seem like they’re angry nearly all the time. If your teen is angry and aggressive on a near daily basis, professional intervention is crucial. While weekly therapy sessions can be beneficial, they aren’t always sufficient for treating DMDD. Your teen may need the support offered by a comprehensive mental health treatment program. With programs like intensive outpatient therapy, your teen can benefit from a rigorous treatment plan tailored to their needs.

• Behavioral issues — DMDD can lead to significant behavioral issues. These issues can include defiance of parental authority in the home. Behavioral issues may affect your teen’s life outside of the home as well. Teens experiencing the symptoms of DMDD often clash with teachers and peers, leading to academic issues such as getting detention and lower grades. Teens may also experience challenges in their social life. Left unaddressed, the behavioral issues associated with DMDD can have a major impact on your teen’s life. Professional intervention can help minimize the long-term effects of your teen’s current behavioral patterns.

• Persistent sadness — Teens experiencing DMDD aren’t just angry. DMDD makes it harder to stay in control of one’s emotional state. In many cases, teens lashing out in anger are also experiencing a range of other intense emotions. DMDD co-occurs with other emotional and behavioral disorders in up to 90% of cases, according to an article in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Some of the most common co-occurring conditions are anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause deep emotional pain and persistent sadness. Your teen’s behaviors may be frustrating; however, it’s important to respond with empathy and understanding. Parent collaboration is a vital part of the adolescent treatment journey. With treatment methods like family therapy sessions, you can work to mend your relationship and help your teen make strides toward improvement.

Address your teen’s mood issues with help from Embrace U

Are you looking for a solution that works for your teen? At Embrace U, we offer levels of treatment geared toward a range of patient needs. With our help, your teen can work to regulate their emotions and improve their mental wellness. Our outpatient programs utilize individual and group therapy to help children and teens ages 10 to 18 develop coping and communication skills to manage symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. 
Contact our team today for more information about DMDD or to schedule an initial appointment.