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7 - Depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders in people with intellectual disabilities

from Part II - Psychopathology and special topics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2009

By
Chrissoula Stavrakaki  and
Yona Lunsky
Edited by
Nick Bouras  and
Geraldine Holt
Chrissoula Stavrakaki
Affiliation:
Professor of Psychiatry, 737 Manor Avenue
Yona Lunsky
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Nick Bouras
Affiliation:
King's College London
Geraldine Holt
Affiliation:
King's College London
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Summary

Introduction

Depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders are particularly more prevalent amongst people with intellectual disabilities (ID) than in the general population (Richards et al., 2001; Tu & Zellweger, 1965). This is the case for most psychiatric disorders (Einfeld, 1992; Gitta & Goldberg, 1995; King et al., 1994; Singh, et al., 1991; Sovner and Horley, 1989; Stavrakaki and Mintsioulis, 1997; Vitello and Behar, 1992). King et al. (1994) found that the most common diagnoses in individuals with ID at the Landerman Developmental Center in California were impulse control disorders, stereotypical/habit disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. In a similar study in Canada, Gitta (1995) concluded that co-existence of anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders and depression was high in people with ID.

This chapter describes the main clinical aspects of depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders and considers the similarities and differences of the three conditions in people with ID.

Depression

The current American classification system for mental diseases (DSM-IV-TR, (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Amercian Psychiatric Association, 1994; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association 2000)), includes two types of depressive disorders:

  1. (a) major depressive disorders, and

  2. (b) dysthymic disorders.

Major depressive disorder is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes (i.e. at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest). According to this classification, five or more of the following symptoms of depression must be present during the same two-week period for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder to be made:

  • depressed mood most of the day

  • markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all activities

  • […]

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Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities , pp. 113 - 130
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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