Disruptive Mood Dysregulation

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a condition that causes a child or teen to frequently feel very irritable or angry and often results in a temper and outbursts that are much larger than the situation warrants. For example, having a verbal or physical outburst about spilling a glass of milk. Their responses to situations are often much bigger than what is appropriate for their age and developmental stage.

Most children and teens experience different moods and ups and downs throughout the day but DMDD goes much further than the occasional “moodiness” and youth with DMDD struggle to regulate their emotions. If a youth has DMDD, they are experiencing severe struggles with their behavior that may require professional support for regulation.

Signs and Symptoms

For most children, DMDD symptoms begin before age 10. A child with this disorder will most likely experience one or more of the following:

  • Acting irritable and/or angry most of the day, nearly every day
  • Frequent, severe tantrums (verbal and/or physical) that occur multiple times per week and do not match the severity of the situation
  • Challenges functioning at home, in school and/or in relationships due to irritability or anger

What You Can Do to Help

  • Seek professional help. It’s important to have a physician or licensed mental health professional examine the child for an accurate assessment and diagnosis of their physical and mental health.
  • If the child expresses thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or violence against another person, call 911 immediately. Take these statements very seriously and get them professional help as soon as possible.
  • Encourage the use of coping skills that will help the child regulate their emotions (i.e., deep breathing, meditation, exercise, listening to music, etc.).
  • Work closely with the child’s teachers and school guidance counselors to ensure everyone knows how to best support the child.
  • Join a training for parents/caregivers to learn skills for managing difficult behaviors in children.
  • Be observant of their behaviors and help them keep track of when feelings of anger and irritability occur. Tracking this over time can help identify triggers, what treatment approaches are most effective or any additional concerns.

KVC Missouri Children’s Mental Health Can Help

KVC Missouri provides the most comprehensive continuum of child and family services across the state, including family strengthening services, foster care case management, foster parent training and licensing, community-based services and residential children’s mental health treatment, K-12 therapeutic education, therapeutic adventure and wilderness programs and more. With regional campuses in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and St. James, our 800+ team members bring innovative quality care models, clinical expertise, exceptional outcomes and groundbreaking work in trauma-informed care. Our broad continuum of care means that children can access mental health services from the least intensive, community-based care to the most intensive, residential treatment programs, receiving an individualized care plan from highly skilled behavioral health professionals.

If you’re concerned that a child in your care is struggling with depression or other mental health needs, call us now at 1-844-424-3577 to find out about services near you.

Here are some KVC Missouri resources to help you understand and address DMDD: 

Here’s a list of additional resources you can contact for help:

  • Call the child’s primary care physician or your local community mental health center
  • Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line
  • Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 800-950-6264 or visit their website at nami.org
  • Visit the Anxiety & Depression Association of America website at adaa.org