ABSTRACT

Irritability is defi ned as a low threshold to experience anger in response to frustration. Irritability can present early in life and is a predictor of long-term psychosocial adversity; yet, the diagnostic status of irritability is a matter of intense debate. In the present article, we aim to present a review of the developmental and theoretical background of this forementioned debate regarding the association of irritability with bipolar disorder (BD) in youth and its role in the diagnosis of this disorder.