Treatment

• • Psychologists are trained doctors (Ph. D or Psy. D) who can assess, diagnose and treat those with emotional and behavioral difficulties with or without a diagnosis of a mental illness.

• • Psychiatrists are trained physicians (MD or DO) who can evaluate psychiatric and medical symptoms as well as diagnose and treat patients. Psychiatrists can also discuss effective medication. If the psychiatrist and guardian decide to treat with medication a psychiatrist can both prescribe and monitor the medication. 

How?

    Psychiatrists and psychologists can use a variety of methods to assess and diagnose children with DMDD. Professionals will be able meet with you and your child to discuss the child's behavior and functioning. The doctor will then evaluate the findings from reports of the child's behaviors and decide they point to a diagnosis of DMDD.

If your child is diagnosed with DMDD, you can discuss with your doctor which treatment will be most effective. There are a variety of different treatment methods available such as: 

Therapy

• • There is evidence that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be effective in helping regulate moods. CBT can help children learn how to deal with their thoughts and feelings. The therapist will help teach coping skills and ways to help manage situations that distress the child. They can also teach ways for the child to manage their frustration (Waxmonsky et. al, 2013).

  • Play therapy can help children reduce their negative behaviors. By using different methods children can learn how to change their attitudes and behaviors (Meany-Walen, Bratton, & Kottman, 2014).

Medication

• • Stimulant use has been found to reduce levels of irritability in children with a diagnosis of DMDD and ADHD (Watts, 2015).

  • Antidepressant medication is sometimes used to treat the irritability and mood problems associated with DMDD and studies are currently evaluating their effectiveness. Even though many have found antidepressants to be both safe helpful, there is a risk of side effects so a child who is prescribed antidepressants should be closely monitored (NIMH, 2017).

  • Antitypical antipsychotics have also been prescribed for child who have very severe temper outbursts and aggression. As these medications are also associated with side effects a child should be closely monitored when taking antitypical antipsychotics (NIMH, 2017).

Resources