If you have a child or teen who seems very angry and moody all the time, there might be a real problem. Your child could suffer from disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. The disorder mostly affects children and youth from ages 6 to about 16. It makes your child seem unhappy pretty much all the time and could cause him or her to lash out several times every week. If your teen or child shows such signs, you can seek help. Phoenix Rising provides behavior and addiction counseling services Palm Springs CA. Families have come to trust. We help you to learn more about what is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and how to deal with it more effectively.
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Signs of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Many wonder what disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is. But, they know it when they see it. That is because the symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder are easy to spot. The more apparent symptoms include:
- Extremely temperamental outbursts three or more times weekly
- An unreasonable amount of anger
- Angry, irritable or sad nearly every day
- Symptoms last more than a year
The disorder is a relatively new one that was identified first in 2013. Effective treatments already exist, and many others are being developed. That gives you hope for a happy future for your child if he or she is showing signs of the disorder. The child must be at least six years old, and the symptoms can last for more than a year. When that kind of behavior continues for more than a year, you should seek help.
Problems Caused by the Disorder
If your child or teen is showing signs of potential issues related to the disorder, seek help. If left unchecked, a child could engage in violence or other activities that impact the rest of their lives. A child with a criminal record before reaching adulthood stands a very poor chance of living a happy life. A moody, angry child prone to outbursts also has problems socializing. Childhood socialization is crucial for developing useful social skills as an adult. When the child does not learn to socialize due to constant mood disruption, it becomes much harder to live happy, successful adulthood.
How Therapy Helps
Many current treatments for the disorder are based on existing treatments for similar childhood disorders. Those include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and others that cause behavioral problems. A combination of therapy and medication often helps control what is driving disruption and dysfunctional behavior. Our dual diagnosis treatment center in California provides:
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Computer-based training
- Family therapy
The National Institute of Mental Health cautions against medicating a child before engaging in psychotherapy to better understand underlying causes. If the problem is environmental, medication is not sufficient. Medication is a useful tool when potential chemical imbalances are part of the problem. It also helps when a hyperactive child can obtain effective medication that does not create dependency but enables the child to control emotional outbursts better. Your psychologist or medical professional can better inform you about medications, how they might help, and what kinds of side effects might arise.
Help is a Phone Call Away
If you want to learn more about what is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder or have a loved one suffering the symptoms, Phoenix Rising in Palm Springs, Ca. can help. You don’t have to let your child or family suffer when help is a free phone call away. Whether the issue is a disruptive child suffering from disruptive mood dysregulation disorder or you or someone you know is dealing with addiction or substance abuse, we can help. Please feel free to call us toll-free at 8552328211 and learn about our many excellent services.
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