Depression in adults with intellectual disability. Part 1: A review.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the available literature regarding prevalence, clinical features and treatment of depression in adults with intellectual disability (ID). METHOD: A review of standard texts of ID and available literature examining psychiatric problems of individuals with ID. RESULTS: Few methodologically sound studies of prevalence have been reported. The clinical features of depression in adults with ID appear to vary with level of disability; in those with higher levels of disability in particular, irritability and anger, self-injurious and aggressive behaviour, psychomotor change and loss of activities of daily living skills may be observed rather than "classic' depressive symptoms. ..