Which disorder is defined as chronic, non-episodic irritability?

• A. ODD
• B. DMDD
• C. IED
• D. CD

Answer: (B)

Chronic, non-episodic irritability points to a mood-regulation problem where the child is persistently irritable or angry most of the day, nearly every day, not just during isolated anger episodes. In this pattern, temper outbursts are frequent and severe, but there’s a steady baseline of irritability between them that lasts for a long period and across settings.

This combination—continuous irritability with frequent, intense outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation—fits disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. The key is that the irritability is persistent (not episodic), begins in childhood, and lasts for a substantial duration across multiple contexts.

This profile helps distinguish it from other disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder can involve irritability and defiance, but it doesn’t require a consistently irritable mood between outbursts. Intermittent explosiveness without a persistently irritable mood between episodes characterizes intermittent explosive disorder. Conduct disorder involves a broader pattern of violating others’ rights and more severe behavioral problems beyond irritability and temper outbursts alone.