Identifying Child Irritability: When Moodiness Signals Deeper Issues

According to Penn State researchers, while all children have times of moodiness, family medicine physicians and pediatricians may be skeptical of their capacity to distinguish between typical irritability and potentially more serious problems.

During a series of interviews with medical professionals, the researchers discovered that pediatricians and primary care physicians had less faith in their abilities to determine whether a young patient’s irritability was typical or indicative of a more serious mental health problem than did child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Additionally, they discovered that while psychiatrists were more likely to begin with behavioural therapy, general care physicians and pediatricians were more inclined to give drugs when they believed there was a problem.

According to Penn State College of Medicine medical student Anna Scandinaro, it’s critical for medical professionals to recognize children and adolescents whose issues may extend beyond normal moodiness, particularly in light of the rise in issues like bullying and school shootings. She said that raising the level of knowledge for these caregivers would be a wise first step.

“We need to start asking if there’s anything we can do to prevent these things from happening,” Scandinaro stated. “There’s a lot of concern right now about children’s mental health, and we wanted to compare how different practitioners go about trying to figure out who’s going through normal irritability and who may benefit from additional treatment.”

Challenges in Evaluating Irritability: A Need for Improved Training and Resources in Child Mental Health

Although the researchers noted that irritability is a typical aspect of a child’s growth, it can also signal mental health conditions. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is one example.

Scandinaro highlighted that distinguishing between acute irritability, like temporary moodiness after being grounded, and chronic irritability can be challenging for professionals.

A sizable university medical center served as the recruitment site for the study’s participants, including physicians in family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry.

Researchers interviewed 17 providers to explore how they identify and assess irritability in school-age patients and distinguish normal from pathological.

“Family physicians and pediatricians lack resources to evaluate irritability effectively, highlighting the need for better-informed primary care decisions.” Therefore, even though this study is preliminary, it indicates that primary care practitioners’ education needs to be improved.”

Challenges in Diagnosing Irritability: The Need for Better Tools and Training

The researchers found family physicians seek signs of irritability like worry, while psychiatrists focus on mood and dissatisfaction.

Family caregivers feel comfortable prescribing medication but prefer referring patients to specialists for stronger treatment options when needed.

Participants found diagnosing patients challenging due to limited time and unclear standards on irritability and its treatment.

Despite many children receiving mental health care in primary settings, results suggest providers may struggle with evaluating irritability. This is according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Scandinaro noted that additional training and instruction could make pediatricians and primary care physicians more confident in diagnosing children.

Scandinaro suggested developing an educational tool to help primary care providers quickly evaluate patients and identify irritability issues.

“This tool would assist in distinguishing normal irritability from issues requiring referral to a specialist,” she added.

Trust Your Instincts: Why Open Conversations with Doctors Matter

Scandinaro advised parents to consult their doctor with concerns and trust their instincts if something seems off with their child.

It is imperative that you speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t be scared to bring it up,” Scandinaro advised. Medication isn’t always the best for irritable children, and not all cases indicate bipolar disorder or serious conditions. But having a conversation about it is crucial.”

Cheryl A. “Professor Cheryl A. Dellasega and Assistant Professor Usman Hameed also contributed to this study on evaluating child irritability.”