Probing the Irritability-Suicidality Nexus

Abstract

Suicide is a major public health concern.¹ Although still rare in absolute numbers, suicide is the second cause of death in adolescents and seems to be on the rise.² One of the strongest risk factors for suicide is suicidality (ie, suicide ideation and attempts) alongside depression, substance abuse and, of course, access to lethal means.^3-5 Identifying modifiable early predictors of suicidality and suicide should therefore be a priority for mental health researchers. In this issue of the Journal, Orri et al. examine whether distinct childhood trajectories of irritability, one of the most common symptoms across psychiatric disorders in youth, are associated with suicidality in adolescence.⁶.