Does My Child Have Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder? 7 Ways to Identify DMDD

As a relatively new diagnosis first published in 2013, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is not on many parents’ radar. Characterized by extreme anger, irritability, and intense outbursts, DMDD goes beyond a “bad mood” and significantly impacts a child’s likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and other harmful conditions. 

But most kids have angry outbursts and struggle to control their emotions from time to time - how can a parent know if their kid might have DMDD?

1. Consider the age of onset

DMDD is typically only diagnosed among kids within a particular age range. While symptoms often appear before a child turns ten, a DMDD diagnosis is not given to children under the age of six. After an individual turns eighteen, other diagnoses will often be explored, such as bipolar or anxiety disorders. This criterion is one of many reasons to pursue a diagnostic assessment, as treatment plans vary based on a child’s diagnosis.

2. Evaluate their irritability

Adolescents are known for their mood swings, but what separates DMDD from typical development is the consistent, unrelenting frequency of feeling depressed, angry, or irritable. If your child’s negative mood persists throughout most days, a professional diagnosis can evaluate whether DMDD is the cause. 

3. Track their tantrums

While an occasional tantrum is nothing to be concerned over, the frequency of a child’s tantrums can sometimes indicate the presence of DMDD. Daily tantrums can be expected among 2–4 year-olds, but mood disorders should be explored if they are still having tantrums 3 or more times a week once they’ve started elementary school.

4. Determine causes for defiance

Occasional defiance is expected as kids develop emotional maturity and test boundaries with adults. However, kids with DMDD exhibit such constant defiance that they are often misdiagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD elicits similar symptoms of persistently irritable, disruptive, and combative behavior. 

A key difference between ODD and DMDD is the intent, or lack of intent, behind the child’s behavior. Kids with ODD have an intention to defy authority due to a combination of psychological, biological, and social factors. Kids with DMDD, however, act out because they lack the coping skills and impulse control to moderate their emotions. They often cannot explain why a tantrum occurred and feel deeply remorseful after their outbursts.

If you believe that DMDD is impacting your kid’s ability to moderate their emotions or perform their best in school, schedule a free 15-minute consultation below to learn about our diagnostic testing services.

5. Track symptoms over time

DMDD is considered when a child’s symptoms persist on an almost daily basis, but even kids without DMDD can experience bouts of depression, irritability, or defiance due to a variety of stressors. For this reason, DMDD is only considered as a diagnosis if the child has shown persistent symptoms over the course of 12+ months. 

6. Assess settings & situations

Some children and adolescents only exhibit behavioral problems in specific settings or situations. For example, one might keep their hands to themselves during class, but frequently roughhouses other students while walking the halls. Another might remain quietly seated during science class, but becomes irritable and antsy during reading or before lunch. In such cases, DMDD is generally not the cause, as DMDD is consistently disruptive to a child’s moods regardless of setting or location. A Functional Behavioral Assessment can help pinpoint causes for a student’s behavioral struggles and inform an effective Behavioral Intervention Plan. 

7. Pursue diagnostic testing

If DMDD is impacting your child’s wellbeing, diagnostic testing is a critical first step in finding them effective support. Our doctors can help you determine whether DMDD or another diagnosis is impeding your child’s family relationships, activity level, social development, or learning, and set you on a clear path toward meeting your child’s emotional and educational needs.

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More about Variations Psychology

Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions.

Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays. 

In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.

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Variations Psychology is located in Newport Beach, CA and provides psychological testing to residents throughout Orange County and its surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Shady Canyon, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and more.

References:

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) (2019). American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Disruptive-Mood-Dysregulation-Disorder-_DMDD_-110.aspx 

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder-dmdd/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder#:~:text=Disruptive%20mood%20dysregulation%20disorder%20(DMDD,impairment%20that%20requires%20clinical%20attention. 

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: The Basics. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder 

Miller, C. (2022). DMMD: Extreme Tantrums and Irritability. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/dmdd-extreme-tantrums-irritability/ 

Quick Guide to Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (2021). Child Mind Institute. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/guide/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder-a-quick-guide/ 

Shinn, M.M. 8 Reasons to Get Your Kid Tested by an Educational Psychologist. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/8-reasons-to-get-your-kid-tested-by-an-educational-psychologist 

Shinn, M.M. (2021). Is My Child or Teen Depressed? 10 Tell-Tale Questions to Consider. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-my-child-or-teen-depressed-10-tell-tale-questions-to-consider 

Shinn, M.M. (2021). My Kid Refuses to Go to School – What Could be the Cause? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-refuses-to-go-to-school-what-could-be-the-cause-gnmey 

Shinn, M.M. (2019). My Kid is So Defiant! Is it My Fault? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-is-so-defiant-is-it-my-fault 

Shinn, M.M. (2018). Should I Get My Kid Tested? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/schools-out-should-i-get-my-kid-tested 

How to Cite This Blog Article:

Shinn. M.M. (2023). Does My Child Have Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder? 6 Ways to Identify DMDD. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/does-my-child-have-disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder-7-ways-to-identify-dmdd