Mood Dysregulation Disorders

Pediatric bipolar, now more commonly referred to as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), is estimated to impact between 0.8% and 4.3% of youth. This chapter describes the symptoms, etiology, and management of mood dysregulation in children and adolescents with a focus on depression, DMDD, persistent depressive disorder, and persistent mood disorder. Additionally, the NIMH researched severe mood dysregulation disorder descriptors are presented. Associated risk factors, screening and assessment tools for use in primary care, evidence-based management strategies, roles for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), consequences of untreated mood dysregulation disorders, and implications for conducting and using nursing research in practice with this population are also presented. The chapter differentiates between the roles and responsibilities of primary care practitioners and child and adolescent psychiatric-mental health APRNs in managing the range of mood dysregulation disorders in children and adolescents.