An exploratory clinical study of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in children and adolescents from India

• DMDD can be diagnosed in Indian clinical population.
• Thirty percent children with chronic irritability received a diagnosis of DMDD.
• Frequent irritability, anger outbursts, inattention, verbal and physical aggression were the commonest presenting complaints.
• Nearly two third of the children with DMDD had comorbidities.
• Children with DMDD were moderately impaired in most areas or severe in one area.

BackgroundChildren with chronic non-episodic irritability were frequently diagnosed as suffering from pediatric bipolar disorder. Therefore in DSM-5 a new diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) was included for such children.AimsThis study aimed to identify DMDD in children and adolescents in Indian child and adolescent psychiatry clinic and elicit its phenomenology and co-morbidities.MethodsChildren of 6–16 years, presenting with irritability for more than one year were assessed using DSM 5 diagnostic criteria to make a diagnosis of DMDD. Severity of irritability was assessed using Affective Reactivity index (ARI). Co-morbidities were screened on Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia present and lifetime version (KSADS-PL) and diagnosed as per DSM-IV TR criteria. Overall behavioral problems were assessed on Conner's parent symptom questionnaire (CPSQ) and impairment in functioning on children's global assessment of functioning scale(C-GAS).Results21 subjects were diagnosed with DMDD. Majority of the subjects (15, 71.4%) were in the age group 6–12 years (mean age11.1 ± 2.9 years) and were males (16, 76.2%). Most common presenting complaints were, frequent irritability and anger outbursts in 21 (100%) and inattention towards studies in 20 (95.2%) subjects. Most of the subjects (18, 85.7%) had moderate to severe irritability. 13 (61.9%) subjects had co-morbidities. Mean CGAS was 46.1 ± 6.9.ConclusionDMDD can be diagnosed in Indian children using DSM 5 criteria. Such children presented with complaints of irritability and problems in studies. They commonly had co-morbidities and had moderate impairment of functioning.