Exposure-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: An Evidence-Based Case Study.

Exposure-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: An Evidence-Based Case Study. Behav Ther. 2020 Mar;51(2):320-333 Authors: Linke J, Kircanski K, Brooks J, Perhamus G, Gold AL, Brotman MA Abstract Severe, chronic irritability is one of the most frequently reported problems in youth referred for psychiatric care. Irritability predicts adult depressive and anxiety disorders, and long-term impairment. Reflecting this pressing public health need, severe, chronic, and impairing irritability is now codified by the DSM-5 diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). Since DMDD has only recently been added as its own nosological class, efficacious treatments that specifically target severe irritability as it presents in DMDD are still being developed. In a recent pilot study, we described the general concept of exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for irritability. This mechanism-driven treatment is based on our pathophysiological model of irritability that postulates two underlying mechanisms, which potentiate each other: (1) heightened reactivity to frustrative nonreward, and (2) aberrant approach responses to threat. In this case report, we describe and illustrate the specific therapeutic techniques used to address severe irritability in an 11-year-old boy with a primary diagnosis of DMDD. Specific techniques within this CBT include motivational interviewing to build commitm...
Source: Behavior Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Behav Ther Source Type: research