Psychological Treatments for Youth With Severe Irritability.

Background:

When children have severe irritability and temper outbursts, they can be so cranky or angry that it leads to problems at home, in school, and with friends. This is called Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and there have been no psychological treatments developed specifically for children with this problem. Researchers think two forms of therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpretation Bias Training (IBT), might help children with DMDD.

Objective:

To test two whether IBT and CBT can decrease severe irritability in children and youth.

Eligibility:

Children 8-17 years old with DMDD. Their symptoms must have started before age 10.

Design:

Participants will be screened with a review of their symptoms. Parents and participants will answer questions.

Participants can do only one or both of these treatments if they wish. Those who wish to do both will start with IBT.

Participants who do CBT will have 12-16 weekly meetings of research talk therapy. A parent will participate in part of the sessions.

Participants will talk about what makes them irritable and how it affects them. They may be put in situations that might make them annoyed or irritable.

Participants will rate how intense their irritability is. Parents and participants will complete rating scales, questionnaires, and interviews.

Participants will do practice activities at home.

Participants doing IBT will have up to 14 sessions over 10 weeks.

Participants will view 15 faces, one at a time, on a computer. They will choose if the face looks happy or angry on a computer. Sometimes the computer gives feedback. Participants will complete some sessions at the NIH and some at home.

Participants and parents answer questions about their progress.