Ace the EPPP 2025 – Power Up Your Psychology Practice!

The criteria for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder as outlined in the DSM-5 specify that the onset of symptoms must occur before the age of 10. This condition is characterized by severe temper outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation, and a persistently irritable or angry mood. The requirement for symptom onset before the age of 10 is important because it helps differentiate this disorder from other mood disorders that may emerge later in childhood or adolescence. Additionally, this age cut-off is designed to reduce the overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in children, ensuring that the diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is used appropriately within the specified developmental context.