Ms Katerina Bekiropoulou

(she/her)

MSc, BSc (Hons)

Research

Thesis

"Is Childhood-Onset Persistent Irritability a Core Feature of ADHD?"

Severe irritability, characterized by an elevated disposition towards anger and provocation relative to peers, is highly impairing, disruptive and a common reason for referral to mental health services. It also co-occurs with several different mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression. Importantly, severe irritability is currently classified differently in European (ICD-11) and American (DSM-5) diagnostic manuals, either as a behavioural or mood problem, respectively. A high prevalence of irritability in children with ADHD, along with genetic overlap, has also led to the hypothesis that irritability may be a core feature of ADHD, a neurodevelopmental condition. Recent research suggests that irritability may be different (e.g., more related to ADHD or mood/depression phenotypes) depending on the age when symptoms commence. Research that spans different ages is therefore very important. My PhD project aims to test the hypothesis that childhood-onset persistent irritability, resembles ADHD in its developmental course and aetiology.

Research investigating the developmental trajectories of irritability and potential links with ADHD, could provide important clinical insights on how irritability develops over time and factors associated with its development. Testing the hypothesis that childhood-onset persistent irritability shares clinical, genetic, and environmental associations with ADHD could provide novel insights on how irritability should be conceptualised. This could explain heterogeneity and help identify strata for tailoring treatment and future prevention/intervention efforts.

Funding sources

Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health