NRNP 6665 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I: Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

NRNP 6665 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I: Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

NRNP 6665 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

Mental health disorders affect all populations regardless of age, race, and social class. For better management of a mental health disorder and effective coping, patients should understand a disorder’s causes, manifestations, and treatments. Families should also understand the condition and appropriate ways of supporting a patient. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a common mood disorder among children (Sabri, 2022). The purpose of this blog is to describe DMDD’s signs and symptoms, treatments, and appropriate community resources and referrals.

Signs and Symptoms of DMDD

DMDD is primarily characterized by anger among children as they react to things that do not disturb other children. Typically, children with DMDD react to common things with much temper and cannot manage their emotions like their age mates (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019; Sabri, 2022). The symptoms usually start before a child reaches ten years, with irritable and angry moods dominating other symptoms. Mood problems occur most of the day or frequently. Other manifestations include severe outbursts and functional problems due to irritability (Mürner-Lavanchy et al., 2021). The severity of these problems requires close observation of children at home, school, and with peers.

Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments

Since DMDD is a new diagnosis, its treatments are based on other treatments where irritability and temper tantrums are dominant. Pharmacological treatments include stimulants, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotic medications (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). Stimulants and antidepressants treat irritability and mood problems, while atypical antipsychotic medications help children to overcome severe temper outbursts. The main nonpharmacological treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps children and adolescents to overcome depressing thoughts and feelings (Linke et al., 2020). It also teaches patients to regulate anger and increase tolerance toward frustration.

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Appropriate Community Resources and Referrals

Mood disorders’ treatment and management are multifaceted. Besides regular treatment, community resources are crucial for coping

NRNP 6665 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

and emotional support. Support groups are among the most reliable community resources for patients with DMDD. They help people with a common health problem to come together, share their problems, and help each other to cope with a mental disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). Community-based parent training also helps parents to understand DMDD and interact better with a child with the disorder. Referrals include the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). These alliances are dedicated to improving the lives of people with mental disorders through support, education, and hope.

Conclusion

DMDD is a childhood disorder characterized by anger, temper, and extreme irritability. The extremity of the signs and symptoms calls for close observation and clinical attention. Parents should ensure that children get timely attention and appropriate support. Community support groups are highly reliable resources since they help patients to overcome their condition and improve coping skills.

NRNP 6665 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I: Patient Education for Children and Adolescents References

Linke, J., Kircanski, K., Brooks, J., Perhamus, G., Gold, A. L., & Brotman, M. A. (2020). Exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: an evidence-based case study. Behavior Therapy, 51(2), 320-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.05.007

Mürner-Lavanchy, I., Kaess, M., & Koenig, J. (2021). Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4

National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder-dmdd/disruptive-mood-dysregulation-disorder#:~:text=Mood%20Dysregulation%20Disorder-,Overview,impairment%20that%20requires%20clinical%20attention.

Sabri, Y. (2022). Diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in offsprings of bipolar parents. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 29(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-022-00186-0

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