This article will provide a thorough understanding of the symptoms associated with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), covering both children and adults.
Depression can manifest with irritability and other mood issues. However, within the category of depressive mood disorders, there is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).
This, though part of the depressive disorders in the DSM, is a mood disorder, one which presents with extreme, chronic temper outbursts in between which individuals have severe irritability and angry mood. Under normal circumstances, children might have time frames where they are a little moodier than normal, but with this diagnosis, children have severe, persistent moodiness with extreme outbursts and temper tantrums that are widely disproportionate to the situation. These symptoms can disrupt daily life for children and adults who live with DMDD.
Recognizing symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder early is essential for a proper diagnosis and effective management of said DMDD symptoms.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Symptoms
In 2013, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder became an official diagnosis for children, prior to which the majority of children who had these symptoms of DMDD were diagnosed with bipolar disorder while older individuals were diagnosed with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
DMDD symptoms typically manifest before a child reaches the age of 10. Children are not diagnosed until they are at least six, and they are typically not diagnosed over the age of 18, although someone who receives a diagnosis between the ages of 10 and 18 can still struggle with symptoms in adulthood.
So, what are the common disruptive mood dysregulation disorder symptoms? What key DMDD disorder symptoms should you look for? The main symptoms include emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive issues.
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional disruptive mood dysregulation disorder symptoms have to do with irritability. Emotionally, the irritable or angry mood that manifests in between severe temper outbursts is something that happens so frequently, nearly every day, that it’s noticeable by everyone, no matter the environment.
Behavioral Symptoms
Behavioral symptoms of DMDD have to do namely with the most prominent manifestations which are frequent temper outbursts and severe irritability with persistently angry or irritable mood in between those outbursts. The behavioral symptoms are often what someone displays during the outbursts and these can be verbal or behavioral.
The behavioral symptoms of irritability and an angry mood typically last the majority of the day, almost every day, especially in young children.
Physical Symptoms
DMDD symptoms can include physical symptoms, especially during frequent temper outbursts. These outbursts are often in response to frustration, and they can be physical outbursts in the form of physical aggression against oneself, others, or property.
The physical symptoms can include yelling, hitting things, throwing things, and causing harm to themselves or others, depending on how they react during a tantrum.
There are physical symptoms that manifest in children and adults with DMDD as a result of temper tantrums, which include:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Difficulties with digestion
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder can tie back to emotional symptoms, with individuals finding themselves unable to emotionally regulate which can interfere with cognitive tasks, focus, and function. Severe behavioral and emotional symptoms can lead to problems completing tasks, storing memory, and otherwise retaining information.
Some studies have found that children with DMDD can also struggle with poor adaptive abilities, which leads to a higher rate of neurodevelopmental issues. For example:
- 15% of patients with DMDD have ADHD.
- 23% of patients with DMDD have learning disorders.
- Those with DMDD have generally lower mean IQs compared to the general population.
- Patients with DMDD have lower adaptive abilities.
- Patients with DMDD have lower perceptual reasoning and IQ, lower working memory and processing speed, and lower verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning.
Studies have concluded that because children and adults with DMDD have lower general intelligence and adaptive abilities, as well as a higher level of neurodevelopmental issues, they are also more likely to struggle with impairment in terms of processing speed and working memory leading to higher risks of other neurodevelopmental disorders and mood problems.
Differences in Symptoms Between Children and Adults
There is a difference between disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in adults symptoms and those symptoms of DMDD in children. Symptoms of DMDD in children may start with things like outbursts and temper tantrums, irritability nearly every day, and problems functioning at home or in school. As those same children develop, the disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in adults symptoms will change as well.
For example, children might have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with their peers at school or participating in things like team sports but as an adult that same type of issue might manifest as difficulty in social settings, social anxiety, or problems participating in group activities or group tasks at work.
- Children typically have recurrent temper tantrums that are more verbal, but adults tend to exhibit physical symptoms rather than verbal symptoms during tantrums.
- Children often struggle with an irritable mood, whereas adults have much higher rates of depression and anxiety.
- Children may be more likely to struggle with symptoms of persistent sadness and feelings of hopelessness, whereas adults struggle with high rates of depression, anxiety, and self-inflicted harm.
DMDD Symptoms Impact on Daily Life
DMDD disorder symptoms have a negative impact on daily life for both children and adults.
For example, when a child is told to stop playing a video game and do their homework, they might become emotionally intense with a temper tantrum that involves screaming at their parents or hitting things in their room. This type of intense outburst can happen several times per week.
In this example, the temper tantrums not only inhibits positive and healthy relationships at home but at school, with peers, teachers, and other adults in a child’s life. It makes it difficult for children to regulate their emotions which, over time can lead to secondary mental health disorders, make it difficult for children to develop proper social skills, or be tolerated by others.
This impact can disrupt daily life as an adult as well, making it difficult not only to maintain healthy relationships or friendships but to hold down a job, particularly if outbursts become more physical than verbal. This puts individuals at risk of legal complications as well. For that reason, it’s important to understand the different symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in children and adults and find the right treatment after receiving a professional diagnosis.
Summing up
There are several symptoms of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), particularly severe recurrent temper outbursts that are manifested through verbal rages, physical aggression, or other behavioral, physical, or emotional symptoms that are grossly out of proportion.
These temper outbursts must be inconsistent with the developmental level of the individual and be persistent for at least 12 months in two of three settings, and recognizing symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder as early as possible goes a long way toward being able to find the right type of help. Seeking professional help if you suspect symptoms of DMDD can help you find appropriate interventions to manage the disorder effectively.
