Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) Treatment for Teens
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a residential therapeutic facility providing long-term mental and behavioral health treatment for teen boys ages 14-17. We help teen boys diagnosed with DMDD, or disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, through a comprehensive, Christ-centered approach that includes therapy, adventure, structure, personal growth, and spiritual development.
DMDD in Teens
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a psychiatric disorder for children and adolescents, characterized by severe and recurrent temper outbursts that are grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the situation.
These outbursts can be verbal or behavioral (e.g., physical aggression toward people or property) and must occur consistently in multiple settings (such as at home, school, or with peers). DMDD is more than just the occasional temper tantrum or moodiness. It’s a serious condition that can significantly impair a young person’s ability to function in daily life.
Treatment for teens with DMDD includes a combination of psychotherapy, family therapy, medication, routine, and life skills.
At Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, we provide:
✔ 24-Hour Skilled Nursing & Medication Management
✔ Christian Licensed Therapists for Individual, Group & Family Therapy
✔ Focus on Family Involvement in Treatment
✔ Facilitated Opportunities for Personal Growth & Spiritual Development
✔ Daily Routines, Structure, and Life Skills Training
Understanding Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Teen Boys
Is your son having multiple explosive episodes every week? Does the severity of his tantrums seem to be disproportionate to his age or development level? Disruptive Mood Dysregulation disorder, or DMDD, is a psychiatric condition that can amplify heightened emotional responses.
If you find yourself feeling like you are walking on eggshells around your teen, or you are constantly trying not to provoke a physical altercation, you may be dealing with more than a rebellious or difficult teenager.
What DMDD looks like:
● Constantly angry or irritable with frequent yelling outbursts
● Blowing up over seemingly small failures like forgetting to lock a door
● Intense, aggressive reactions to confrontation which might feel unpredictable
● Refusal to comply with simple household rules
● Repeated removals from the classroom
● Getting suspended from games or removed from sports teams for uncontrolled behavior
Frequent angry or aggressive outbursts paired with unpredictability can make life at home feel like a warzone. Between the added stress on you and your family and the fear that your son’s behavior will lead to legal problems or incarceration, navigating life with DMDD can be a significant challenge.
When is Residential Treatment the Right Choice for Teens with DMDD?
Placement in a long-term residential treatment program is a big step. It requires a long-term financial and emotional commitment from the entire family and should not be made as a default decision.
However, DMDD is a serious psychiatric condition that often impacts a teens ability to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Early intervention, diagnoses, and effective therapeutic treatment along with appropriate medication management can make a real difference in the teens long-term success in life.
Families choose residential mental health treatment when:
● Short-term or outpatient support has previously failed.
● The teen is an immediate danger to himself or others around him.
● Destructive behavior patterns are increasing and the family is in crisis.
● Problems with school or the law indicate that an intervention is necessary.
Why Choose Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch?
We provide holistic therapeutic interventions designed to stabilize behaviors, engage teens in therapeutic treatment, address root cause mental health issues, and build decisions-making and academic skills for long-term success. We only work with teenage boys.
We address DMDD treatment by stabilizing teens with proper medication management based on individual genetics and equipping them with life skills for long-term success.
Our Christian therapeutic team helps facilitate recovery through a combination of treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, along with a variety of high-engagement self-growth opportunities ranging from outdoor adventure expeditions and equine-assisted therapy to bible study and life skills classes.
Effective, evidence-based treatment with a holistic approach designed to change lives and renew families.
Healthy habits. Healthy relationships. Healthy recovery.
Speak to our admissions team today and learn more about how we can help your teen overcome the challenges of his DMDD diagnosis.
