Behaviour problems in institutionalised people with intellectual disability and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Although our understanding of dual diagnosis has improved, a deficit still exists in our knowledge of how schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) manifest themselves in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). In addition, little is known about the relationship between behaviour problems and psychopathology in this population. METHOD: Utilising the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI), three areas of problem behaviour (self-injurious, stereotyped, and aggressive/destructive) were assessed in 58 individuals with ID divided into three groups (with SSD, with a diagnosis of psychopathology other than SSD, and with ID only) and a total BPI score was calculated for each. RESULTS: The SSD group was unique when compared to the Control group (ID only) for frequency of stereotyped behaviours. Further, severity of stereotyped behaviours in the SSD group was unique compared to the Psychopathology and Control groups. CONCLUSION: The SSD group was unique compared to the other two groups, particularly for severity of stereotyped behaviours. Many specific behavioural differences were also related to either SSD or general psychopathology.

Assessing side effects of pharmacotherapy treatment of bipolar disorder: a 20-year review of the literature.

A substantial literature on the effective treatment of bipolar disorder has begun to appear, particularly in the last 20 years. The majority of treatments studied have employed medications, particularly mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants. Most treatments produce side effects and medications are no exception. A review of assessment methods used to evaluate side-effect profiles is presented, along with author interpretations of these data in terms of cost and benefits. Additionally, a discussion of the implications for side-effect monitoring and management during short-term versus more long-term treatments is presented with respect to the general and intellectual disability populations. Summaries of relevant drug side-effect assessment practices are presented and future research directions are suggested.