Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

Posted: August 28th, 2024

Patient Education for Children and Adolescents

Walden University
NRNP 6665

Symptoms of DMDD
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a childhood condition characterized by severe anger, persistent irritability, and frequent temper outbursts. These symptoms can significantly impact a child’s daily functioning and quality of life. The symptoms include frequent verbal and behavioral temper, such as a minimum of three times a week (Bruno et al., 2019). This frequency of outbursts can be distressing for both the child and their family. Children can experience outbursts for a minimum of 12 months and an angry mood every day. Such prolonged symptoms often necessitate professional intervention. Patients with DMDD have trouble performing daily activities at school, at home, and with peers (Bruno et al., 2019). This can lead to social isolation and academic difficulties. Healthcare workers diagnose the condition by reviewing the past behavior of a child. A comprehensive assessment is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Pharmacological Treatments
Psychiatrists may prescribe antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers to treat the disease. These medications aim to stabilize mood and reduce irritability. Antidepressants are effective in treating irritability conditions such as DMDD (Benarous et al., 2020). However, careful monitoring is required to manage potential side effects. Risperidone is one of the Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs used in the treatment of the condition. It is often chosen for its efficacy in reducing severe symptoms. In some cases, practitioners may avoid prescribing antidepressants or stimulants for fear that they will trigger mania symptoms (Benarous et al., 2020). This highlights the importance of individualized treatment plans. Practitioners may avoid stimulants for individuals with heart conditions. Safety considerations are paramount in the treatment process.

Nonpharmacological Treatments
Practitioners can use nonpharmacological treatments such as behavioral therapy to help patients learn to control their emotions. These therapies provide children with tools to manage their symptoms effectively. Cognitive behavior therapy is effective psychotherapy that is effective in teaching children how to deal with feelings and emotions (Benarous et al., 2020). It focuses on changing negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. The therapy helps the children to increase tolerance to frustration or anger. This can lead to improved interactions with peers and family. CBT helps the children to learn how to cope and alter perceptions that lead to outbursts. Over time, this can result in a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of outbursts. Parent training is effective since it helps the parents learn how to interact with children to reduce the chances of aggression (Vidal‐Ribas et al., 2018). This training empowers parents with strategies to support their child’s emotional regulation. It helps parents to anticipate behavior or activities that may lead to outbursts. Anticipating the situations helps them to prevent or cope with the outbursts when they occur. Evidence-based practice shows that computer-based training effectively alters a child’s behavior with DMDD (Vidal‐Ribas et al., 2018). These programs can be a valuable supplement to traditional therapy. The program changes the behavior of a child with severe irritability. This approach can be particularly engaging for children who are comfortable with technology.

Community Resources
Medication guides are available to help parents to decide the form of treatment for their ailing children. These resources provide valuable information on managing DMDD. Bullying awareness and outreach community programs are intended to empower the community or peers to avoid triggering other children’s aggression (Bruno et al., 2019). Such programs foster a supportive environment for affected children. Children with DMDD may require support groups to share experiences and regulate behavior. These groups offer a sense of community and understanding.

Referrals
Referrals are essential in the treatment of DMDD since the provision of care is diverse. Coordinated care ensures comprehensive support for the child. A psychiatrist can refer a patient to a counselor for psychotherapy. This collaboration enhances the effectiveness of treatment. Healthcare workers can refer a child to a mental healthcare professional in a hospital setting or school environment (Vidal‐Ribas et al., 2018). Access to specialized care can significantly improve outcomes. Social workers who interact with children can be essential referrals in the healthcare provision team. Their involvement can provide additional support and resources for families.

Referrals
Benarous, X., Renaud, J., Breton, J. J., Cohen, D., Labelle, R., & Guilé, J. M. (2020). Are youths with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder different from youths with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder?. Journal of Affective Disorders, 265, 207-215.
Bruno, A., Celebre, L., Torre, G., Pandolfo, G., Mento, C., Cedro, C., … & Muscatello, M. R. A. (2019). Focus on Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: A review of the literature. Psychiatry Research, 279, 323-330.
Vidal‐Ribas, P., Brotman, M. A., Salum, G. A., Kaiser, A., Meffert, L., Pine, D. S., … & Stringaris, A. (2018). Deficits in emotion recognition are associated with depressive symptoms in youth with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 35(12), 1207-1217.