If you have a teenager mood swings may be something that you’re already all too familiar with. The rollercoaster of hormones that teens live with can result in behavior that is sometimes unpredictable and frustrating for the members of their families. When their behavior seems to go beyond simply being moody and grumpy, you may be dealing with a mood disorder that needs to be addressed by mental wellness professionals. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) has symptoms that can feel quite overwhelming for those around the person displaying them.
A condition seen in children and teens, DMDD is expressed with frequent and quite severe tantrums or meltdowns that can interfere with your child’s ability to function at home and school. It may even impact the ability to maintain friends with their peers. Their reactions to situations can be extreme and out of proportion compared to what would be typically expected from others who face the same situation. Children and teens may be moody, angry, irritable, and sad almost every day.
Learning more about DMDD can help you better understand how to help your son. DMDD was first recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013. This relatively new diagnosis means that there is still a lack of awareness about it.
What is DMDD caused by?
It’s natural to wonder what could cause DMDD. While it would be easier to understand if there was one single factor that could be pointed to, the truth is that several factors could be responsible for the mood disorder teen son and daughters struggle with.
Some of the risk factors may include the following.
- Low or no parental support
- Hostility or violence in the home
- Substance use and abuse in the home
- Conflicts within the family
- Abuse and trauma
Research about the causes of DMDD is ongoing, with more of an understanding being seen each day.
Is DMDD a form of autism?
It’s important to differentiate between autism and DMDD. Many children and teens who have DMDD also have one or more other disorders, including autism, learning disorders, or ADHD. There is a higher prevalence of DMDD in those who have autism, but they are not the same disorder.
Known as a neurodevelopmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) brings repetitive behaviors, limited or restricted interests with complete disinterest in other areas, and challenges in social communication. While some therapeutic solutions can prove beneficial for those who are on the autism spectrum, this is a lifelong condition.
DMDD can be treated so that those who have other types of disorders are able to better cope with behaviors and emotional regulation.
Is DMDD the same as bipolar?
DMDD is a relatively recent diagnosis, having only been recognized in recent years. As is the case with autism, many children may have been misdiagnosed as being bipolar. The symptoms of both bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder can be similar, which does explain why so many could have been misdiagnosed. Broadly speaking, one of the key differences between DMDD and bipolar disorder is the frequency of rage, anger, tantrums, or outbursts. Those with DMDD tend to have ongoing symptoms. Those with bipolar disorder typically show episodic symptoms that can last for days or weeks but can be controlled with the right type of professional intervention.
The misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder can lead children and teens to be prescribed medications that they don’t need. This is why it’s so important for parents to guide their sons to get the right type of treatment, to address the DMDD.
Can a child outgrow DMDD?
When it comes to your teen DMDD may feel all-consuming. You may wonder if this is just another phase and whether he’ll outgrow these behaviors. Without treatment, the majority of children will often outgrow what are considered to be the core symptoms of DMDD. This could include irritability, moodiness, and tantrums. While this may be good news for parents, the real concern is that children with DMDD have an increased risk of developing a range of other issues. This may include anxiety, depression, risk-taking behavior, violent behavior, and alcohol, drug, and nicotine use.
As is the case with any illness, whether physical or mental, the general outcome is going to be poor if the illness isn’t treated. Getting your son into a good treatment program can potentially help to minimize his risk of falling victim to some of the possible outcomes of this mental health concern.
Does your teen struggle with shifting moods that impact everyone around him? When it comes to a volatile temper teen boys can be unpredictable and even a little frightening to friends and younger siblings who don’t understand what’s going on. If your teen son is showing signs of one or more mental health concerns, reach out to Liahona Academy. We offer treatment programs to help your son find his way back to better being able to cope with the way that he feels and reacts to the situations he is faced with.
