In this study the investigators will examine psychiatric symptoms, central neurocognitive functions, parental stress and attachment styles, and biological factors that can give new knowledge about some of the mechanisms present in children referred to outpatient psychiatric service. A specific focus will be given to children suffering from severe irritability making problems at home, in school, and/or with peers.~Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is characterized by chronic and severe irritability and anger in children. DMDD understood as severe or clinical irritability can be regarded as laying above a certain threshold on a irritability continuum. Due to DMDD being a relatively new and debated diagnosis there is an urgent need to gain better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of severe irritability in children.~This study will explore emotion and behavior symptoms, neuropsychological functions (including social perception), perceived parental stress and attachment styles, and cortisol levels of children and their mothers, in children referred to outpatient psychiatric service including children with severe irritability. Parents of children 6 to 12 years will be informed and asked to participate.~The work on severe irritability will be divided into six main areas:~Severe irritability in a Norwegian clinical population: prevalence, comorbidity and associated difficulties~Social and emotional understanding in severe irritability in children~Executive function in severe irritability in children~Stress response in severe irritability in children~Parental stress and attachment style in parents of severe irritability in children~DMDD: An affective or conduct disorder? Comparing anxiety and depressive symptoms
In this study the investigators will examine psychiatric symptoms, central neurocognitive functions, parental stress and attachment styles, and biological factors that can give new knowledge about some of the mechanisms present in children referred to outpatient psychiatric clinics. A specific focus will be given to children suffering from severe irritability.