A Modular, Transdiagnostic Approach to Treating Severe Irritability in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Severe irritability is common in treatment-referred youth, often occurring in externalizing, anxiety, and mood conditions. The best available evidence indicates behavioral parent training and cognitive-behavioral therapy as first-line interventions. Modular approaches (eg, MATCH) can package these strategies in a flexible format, facilitating personalization. Ample evidence supports MATCH's effectiveness generally and initial evidence supports its effectiveness for irritability specifically. We provide an overview of MATCH and its application to severe irritability. Emphasis is placed on behavioral parent training as a likely primary/first-line treatment. Potential benefits and limitations are considered. This approach calls for careful clinical judgment and for further empirical research.

Keywords: Behavioral parent training (BPT); Children and adolescents; Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); Irritability; Modular; Mood dysregulation; Oppositional; Transdiagnostic.