<P> DMDD first appeared as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM - 5) in 2013 and is classified as a mood disorder . Treatments include medication to manage mood symptoms as well as individual and family therapy to address emotion - regulation skills . Children with DMDD are at risk for developing depression and anxiety later in life . </P> <P> Most parents of children with DMDD report that their children first showed signs and symptoms of the disorder during their preschool years . Children with DMDD show severe and recurrent temper outbursts three or more times per week . Although many children have occasional tantrums, youths with DMDD have outbursts that are out of proportion in terms of their intensity or duration . These outbursts can be verbal or behavioral . Verbal outbursts often are described by observers as "rages" or "fits". Children may scream, yell, and cry for excessively long periods of time, sometimes with little provocation . Physical outbursts may be directed toward people or property . Children may throw objects; hit, slap, or bite others; destroy toys or furniture; or otherwise act in a harmful or destructive manner . </P> <P> Children with DMDD also display persistently irritable or angry mood that is observable by others . Parents, teachers, and classmates describe these children as habitually angry, touchy, grouchy, or easily "set off". Unlike the irritability that can be a symptom of other childhood disorders, such as ODD, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder, the irritability displayed by children with DMDD is not episodic or situation - dependent . In DMDD, the irritability or anger is severe and is shown most of the day, nearly every day in multiple settings, lasting for one or more years . </P> <P> The DSM - 5 includes several additional diagnostic criteria which describe the duration, setting, and onset of the disorder: the outbursts must be present for at least 12 months and occur in at least two settings (e.g. home and school), and it must be severe in at least one setting . Symptoms appear before the age of ten, and diagnosis must be made between ages 6 and 18 . This new diagnosis was implemented to help children who, although may have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their explosive rages were not being treated properly . </P>

The dsm-5's new category of disruptive mood disregulation disorder will likely