Depressive feelings may also manifest as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)—a relatively new diagnosis in the mental health field. The hallmark of this disorder is persistent irritability and frequent, severe temper outbursts. Teens with DMDD tend to lash out when feeling frustrated—for example, by yelling, throwing things, or hitting someone. Even when they aren’t flying into a rage, teens with DMDD are in a chronically cranky or angry mood. The constant irritability and hair-trigger temper of DMDD go far beyond normal teenage moodiness. DMDD can wreak havoc with relationships.
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