Relatively few DMDD-specific treatment studies have been conducted to date. Treatment is often based on what has been helpful for other disorders associated with irritability, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and anxiety disorders.
Treatment for DMDD generally includes certain types of psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and sometimes medications. In many cases, psychotherapy is considered first, with medication added later if needed. However, in some cases, providers recommend that children receive both psychotherapy and medication at the start of their treatment. Parents or caregivers should work closely with their child's health care provider to make treatment decisions that are best for their child.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is currently funding studies focused on further improving these treatments and identifying new treatments to address irritability and temper outbursts.
Psychotherapies
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targets the relationship between thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and is often effective in treating anger and disruptive behavior. CBT for anger and disruptive behavior focuses on changing maladaptive thoughts. Researchers are also using CBT to help children increase their ability to tolerate frustration without having an outburst. This therapy teaches coping skills for controlling anger and ways to identify and re-label the distorted perceptions that contribute to outbursts.
Dialectical behavior therapy for children (DBT-C) teaches children skills that may help them regulate their emotions and avoid extreme or prolonged outbursts. In DBT-C, the clinician helps children learn skills that can help with regulating their moods and emotions.
Parent training teaches parents or caregivers more effective ways to respond to irritable behavior, such as anticipating events that might lead a child to have a temper outburst and working ahead to avert it. Training also focuses on the importance of predictable and consistent responses to a child’s outbursts and rewards for positive behavior.
Medications
Currently, no medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating children or adolescents with DMDD. However, health care providers may prescribe certain medications—such as stimulants, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics—to help relieve a child’s DMDD symptoms.
- Stimulants are often used to treat ADHD, and research suggests that stimulant medications also may decrease irritability in youth.
- Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat irritability and mood problems children with DMDD may experience. One study suggests that the antidepressant citalopram, combined with the stimulant methylphenidate, can decrease irritability in youth with DMDD. Please note: Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth, who should be monitored closely by their health care provider.
- Certain atypical antipsychotic medications are used to treat children with irritability, severe outbursts, or aggression. FDA has approved these medications for the treatment of irritability associated with autism, and they are sometimes used to treat DMDD, too. However, due to the side effects associated with these medications, they are often used only when other approaches have not been successful.
All medications have side effects. Monitor and report your child's side effects and review the medications frequently with your child's health care provider. Visit FDA’s website for the latest warnings, patient medication guides, and information on newly approved medications.
