Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Nicole Salfi, M.D., Mary Kimmel, M.D., Traci Speed, M.D., Ph.D., Na Young Ji, M.D.

DEFINITION

  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder was created to capture chronic, non-episodic irritability (persistently irritable/angry mood between outbursts) and severe recurrent temper outbursts that are grossly out of proportion to the situation and impair functioning at home, at school, or with peers.[1]
  • Introduced in DSM-5 to reduce misdiagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder, DSM-5-TR (2022) retained DMDD without substantive criteria changes; ongoing APA updates have not altered DMDD diagnostic criteria to date.[2]

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Last updated: September 27, 2025