Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

This article is an overview of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). It reviews history, diagnostic criteria, prevalence, comorbidities, treatment, and recommendations for clinical practice. The diagnosis of DMDD was created to separate the symptoms of chronic irritability punctuated by short-term outbursts in young children. Although controversy exists around DMDD as a sole diagnosis due to comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, there is evidence of its unique traits. There are limited data regarding treatment, although the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy shows potential for first-line treatment. Providers need to support families, validate parental concerns, and teach behavioral modification to complement therapy and pharmacotherapy.