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Diagnostic instruments for the assessment of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:17-39. [PMID: 34232390 PMCID: PMC9908712 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) involves non-episodic irritability and frequent severe temper outbursts in children. Since the inclusion of the diagnosis in the DSM-5, there is no established gold-standard in the assessment of DMDD. In this systematic review of the literature, we provide a synopsis of existing diagnostic instruments for DMDD. Bibliographic databases were searched for any studies assessing DMDD. The systematic search of the literature yielded K = 1167 hits, of which n = 110 studies were included. The most frequently used measure was the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia DMDD module (25%). Other studies derived diagnostic criteria from interviews not specifically designed to measure DMDD (47%), chart review (7%), clinical diagnosis without any specific instrument (6%) or did not provide information about the assessment (9%). Three structured interviews designed to diagnose DMDD were used in six studies (6%). Interrater reliability was reported in 36% of studies (ranging from κ = 0.6-1) while other psychometric properties were rarely reported. This systematic review points to a variety of existing diagnostic measures for DMDD with good reliability. Consistent reporting of psychometric properties of recently developed DMDD interviews, as well as their further refinement, may help to ascertain the validity of the diagnosis.
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Zaccaria V, Maggi S, Bof A, Tofani M, Galeoto G, Ardizzone I. Validation of the Italian version of the clinician affective reactivity index (CL-ARI). Nord J Psychiatry 2022:1-6. [PMID: 36519296 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2154837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Irritability represents a transdiagnostic symptom in youths, which can become a predictor of long-term psychosocial adversity. Yet, few tools investigate this symptom in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CL-ARI in an Italian population, analyzing the correlations between irritability and other pathological constructs. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Child Neuropsychiatry Unit in Rome. A transdiagnostic sample of 67 youths aged 7-17 years, which underwent to a psychodiagnostic evaluation, was administered by a clinician with the translated version of the CL-ARI, along with tools exploring irritability and other constructs (depressive symptoms, anxiety, global impairment in functioning). RESULTS The most frequent diagnosis obtained by the psychodiagnostic evaluation was anxiety disorder, followed by disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) and no diagnosis. Cronbach's alpha values revealed good internal consistency for the total score (0.86), as well as for the score of each subscale of the tool (0.81 for temper outbursts, 0.89 for irritable mood, 0.71 for impairment). Test-retest reliability showed excellent values (ICC 0.89 to 0.98), and criterion validity exhibited good correlation among the sub-scales and between each sub-scale and the total score. Finally, positive correlations were found between total scores of the parent and the child interview, and between the CL-ARI, the measure of DMDD severity (CGI) and of depressive symptoms (CDI 2). CONCLUSIONS These data confirmed that the CL-ARI is a promising tool designed to intercept irritability, with good psychometric properties. Further research on the assessment of irritability is critical and thus encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Zaccaria
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Susanna Maggi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Bof
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Tofani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy.,Continuous Education and Research Service, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galeoto
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy.,Neuromed IRCCS, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Ignazio Ardizzone
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
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3
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Haller SP, Stoddard J, Botz-Zapp C, Clayton M, MacGillivray C, Perhamus G, Stiles K, Kircanski K, Penton-Voak IS, Bar-Haim Y, Munafò M, Towbin KE, Brotman MA. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Computerized Interpretation Bias Training for Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: A Fast-Fail Study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 61:37-45. [PMID: 34147585 PMCID: PMC8678378 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine targeted, mechanism-based interventions is the next generation of treatment innovation. Biased threat labeling of ambiguous face emotions (interpretation bias) is a potential behavioral treatment target for anger, aggression, and irritability. Changing biases in face-emotion labeling may improve irritability-related outcomes. Here, we report the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled targeted trial of interpretation bias training (IBT) in youths with chronic, severe irritability. METHOD Patients with current disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD; N = 44) were randomly assigned to complete 4 sessions of active (n = 22) or sham (n = 22) computerized IBT training within a 1-week period. The first and last trainings were completed onsite, and 2 trainings were completed at home. We examined the effects of active IBT on labeling bias, primary outcome measures of irritability, and secondary outcome measures of anxiety, depression, and functional impairment. Follow-up assessments were completed immediately after the intervention as well as 1 and 2 weeks later. RESULTS We found that active IBT engaged the behavioral target in the active relative to the sham condition, as shown by a significant shift toward labeling ambiguous faces as happy. However, there was no consistent clinical improvement in active IBT relative to the sham condition either immediately after or 2 weeks after training in either the primary or secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION Although this randomized controlled trial of IBT in youths with DMDD engaged the proposed behavioral target, there was no statistically significant improvement on clinical outcome. Identifying and changing behavioral targets is a first step in novel treatment development; these results have broader implications for target-based intervention development. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION Psychological Treatments for Youth With Severe Irritability; https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT02531893.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone P. Haller
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joel Stoddard
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Christian Botz-Zapp
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michal Clayton
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Caroline MacGillivray
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gretchen Perhamus
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kelsey Stiles
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Katharina Kircanski
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Kenneth E. Towbin
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Melissa A. Brotman
- National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Editorial: Exemplifying a Cognitive Science-Driven Approach to Intervention Innovation: Targeting Face Emotion Labeling to Reduce Anger-Proneness in Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 61:26-28. [PMID: 34756993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a condition in which children or adolescents experience chronically irritable or angry mood. These feelings typically manifest through frequent and intense temper outbursts that can be verbal (eg, yelling) or physical (eg, hitting). These symptoms carry a personal cost, affecting family life, peer relationships, and school functioning. Yet, evidence-based treatment options can be difficult to access. A recent therapeutic solution-Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM)-lies in targeting neurocognitive mechanisms known to maintain and contribute to irritability. In this issue, Haller and colleagues use a fast-fail approach (based on a pre-registered study protocol) to evaluate the potential of a new CBM intervention for young people with DMDD. Here, we discuss what work is needed before the potential of this intervention can be translated for clinical use..
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Forte A, Orri M, Turecki G, Galera C, Pompili M, Boivin M, Tremblay RE, Côté SM, Geoffroy MC. Identifying environmental pathways between irritability during childhood and suicidal ideation and attempt in adolescence: findings from a 20-year population-based study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021; 62:1402-1411. [PMID: 33721915 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable children are at increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, but the underlying environmental mechanisms accounting for these associations are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the mediating role of peer victimization and harsh parenting in the association between childhood irritability and adolescent suicidal ideation and attempt. METHOD N = 1,483 participants from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development followed up from 5 months until 20 years of age (2018) with annual or biannual assessments. Irritability was operationalized using assessments of teacher-reported temper tantrums and reactive aggression. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt at ages 13, 15, 17, and 20 years were self-reported. Peer victimization (self-reported at age 13) and harsh parenting (mothers reported at age 13) were considered as potential mediators. RESULTS We identified four trajectories of teacher-reported irritability symptoms from 6 to 12 years: low (74.8%), rising (12.9%), declining (7.3%), and persistent (4.9%). In adjusted models, children in the persistent and rising trajectories had, respectively, 2.81-fold (CI, 1.27-6.22) and 2.14-fold (CI, 1.20-3.81) increased odds of suicide attempt in adolescence, but not suicidal ideation. We found that a significant proportion of the association between irritability trajectories and suicide attempt was mediated by peer victimization (33% and 35% for rising and persistent, respectively), but there was no mediation via harsh parenting. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that peer victimization may be a key mechanism explaining the increased suicide attempt risk of children presenting with persistently high or increasing irritability. Interventions to reduce peer victimization may be helpful to reduce suicide risk among irritable children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Forte
- Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry and Substance Abuse, ASL Roma 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Orri
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, Inserm U1219, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cedric Galera
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, Inserm U1219, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Richard E Tremblay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sylvana M Côté
- Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, Inserm U1219, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Education and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Hodgdon EA, Yu Q, Kryza-Lacombe M, Liuzzi MT, Aspe GI, Menacho VC, Bozzetto L, Dougherty L, Wiggins JL. Irritability-related neural responses to frustrative nonreward in adolescents with trauma histories: A preliminary investigation. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22167. [PMID: 34292612 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Irritability, conceptualized as a lowered frustration response threshold to blocked goal attainment (i.e., frustrative nonreward), is a common, detrimental symptom in adolescence. Yet, neural mechanisms of irritability are not well understood. This preliminary study aims to identify irritability-related neural patterns using a novel frustrative nonreward paradigm. Our study used a diverse sample of N = 31 non-White adolescent participants (mean age 14.53 years, SD = 1.74; 83.87% Hispanic/Latinx) to improve generalizability. During fMRI acquisition, participants performed a child-friendly monetary incentive delay task, modified to provide incorrect, negative feedback on performance. Irritability was associated with alterations in amygdala connectivity with basal ganglia, prefrontal, temporal, and parietal regions, and in activation of prefrontal and posterior cortical structures. Across clusters, youths with greater irritability showed activation/connectivity differences between reward blocked versus received conditions in the opposite direction compared to youths with lowered irritability. Alterations in amygdala-temporoparietal connectivity and lingual gyrus activation demonstrated an altered irritability-related recovery effect from the previous trial. These findings support the central role of frustrative nonreward as a key irritability pathway. Our work is one of the first to document neural correlates of difficult recovery from frustration characteristic of irritability and provides insight into novel treatment targets for irritability in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Hodgdon
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Qiongru Yu
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maria Kryza-Lacombe
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Michael T Liuzzi
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Gabriela Ibarra Aspe
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Lauren Bozzetto
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lea Dougherty
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jillian Lee Wiggins
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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Bell E, Boyce P, Porter RJ, Bryant RA, Malhi GS. Irritability in Mood Disorders: Neurobiological Underpinnings and Implications for Pharmacological Intervention. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:619-641. [PMID: 34019255 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00823-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Feeling irritable is a common experience, both in health and disease. In the context of psychiatric illnesses, it is a transdiagnostic phenomenon that features across all ages, and often causes significant distress and impairment. In mood disorders, irritability is near ubiquitous and plays a central role in diagnosis and yet, despite its prevalence, it remains poorly understood. A neurobiological model of irritability posits that, in children and adolescents, it is consequent upon deficits in reward and threat processing, involving regions such as the amygdala and frontal cortices. In comparison, in adults with mood disorders, the few studies that have been conducted implicate the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortices, and hypothalamus; however, the patterns of activity in these areas are at variance with the findings in youth. These age-related differences seem to extend to the neurochemistry of irritability, with links between increased monoamine transmission and irritability evident in adults, but aberrant levels of, and responses to, dopamine in youth. Presently, there are no specific treatments that have significant efficacy in reducing irritability in mood disorders. However, treatments that hold some potential and warrant further exploration include agents that act on serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, especially as irritability may serve as a prognostic indicator for overall clinical responsiveness to specific medications. Therefore, for understanding and treatment of irritability to advance meaningfully, it is imperative that an accurate definition and means of measuring irritability are developed. To achieve this, it is necessary that the subjective experience of irritability, both in health and illness, is better understood. These insights will inform an accurate, comprehensive, and valid interrogation of the qualities of irritability in health and illness, and allow not only a clinical appreciation of the phenomenon, but also a deeper understanding of its important role within the development and manifestation of mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
- Department of Psychiatry, CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Level 3, Main Hospital Building, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
| | - Phil Boyce
- Department of Psychiatry, Westmead Hospital and the Westmead Clinical School, Wentworthville, NSW, 2145, Australia
- Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard J Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gin S Malhi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Level 3, Main Hospital Building, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
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Haller SP, Kircanski K, Stringaris A, Clayton M, Bui H, Agorsor C, Cardenas SI, Towbin KE, Pine DS, Leibenluft E, Brotman MA. The Clinician Affective Reactivity Index: Validity and Reliability of a Clinician-Rated Assessment of Irritability. Behav Ther 2020; 51:283-293. [PMID: 32138938 PMCID: PMC7060970 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Irritability is impairing in youth and is the core feature of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). Currently, there are no established clinician-rated instruments to assess irritability in pediatric research and clinical settings. Clinician-rated measures ensure consistency of assessment across patients and are important specifically for treatment research. Here, we present data on the psychometric properties of the Clinician Affective Reactivity Index (CL-ARI), the first semistructured interview focused on pediatric irritability. The CL-ARI was administered to a transdiagnostic sample of 98 youth (M age = 12.66, SD = 2.47; 41% female). With respect to convergent validity, CL-ARI scores were (a) significantly higher for youth with DMDD than for any other diagnostic group, and (b) showed uniquely strong associations with other clinician-, parent-, and youth-report measures of irritability compared to measures of related constructs, such as anxiety. The three subscales of the CL-ARI (temper outbursts, irritable mood, impairment) showed excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability of the CL-ARI was adequate. These data support that irritability can be feasibly, validly, and reliably assessed by clinicians using the CL-ARI. A validated, gold-standard assessment of pediatric irritability is critical in advancing research and treatment efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone P Haller
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health.
| | - Katharina Kircanski
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Argyris Stringaris
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Michal Clayton
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Hong Bui
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Courtney Agorsor
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Sofia I Cardenas
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Kenneth E Towbin
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Ellen Leibenluft
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
| | - Melissa A Brotman
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
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