Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry (Third Edition) – Chapter 18: Intellectual Disability

Treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in individuals with an intellectual disability brings both challenges and rewards. Psychiatrists should understand what defines an intellectual disability, as well as the clinical features of the most common syndromes associated with intellectual disability, to ensure the optimal treatment of patients with this condition. Key questions to consider when evaluating patients with intellectual disability include the following: How was the diagnosis made? Has a complete work-up been done? What is the individual’s cognitive and adaptive functioning? Are there medical issues that may be causing or contributing to aberrant behavior? Is there a functional aspect to accompanying problematic behavior? Which psychiatric disorders are prevalent in patients with an intellectual disability or often occur with identified syndromes?