Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) encompasses a wide variety of disorders that can severely affect an individual’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, even when identified early in life. Initially, individuals with such disorders had shorter life expectancies. However, medical advances have increased the life expectancy of individuals with ID similar to that of the general population. More attention must be paid to manage diseases affecting the intellectually disabled elderly, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic constipation, and behavioral disorders.
Highlights
BackgroundAn issue of particular significance for caretakers and physicians of individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is behavioral disorder/disruption
Ranging from mild repetitive movements to actions injurious to caretakers and self, behavioral disorders can be challenging for caretakers
Psychiatric issues are difficult to diagnose in individuals who cannot communicate adequately
Summary
An issue of particular significance for caretakers and physicians of individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is behavioral disorder/disruption. Psychiatric issues are difficult to diagnose in individuals who cannot communicate adequately This can often lead to feelings of increased frustration by the patients and can be an added reason for disruptive behavior. Antipsychotics may be necessary when therapy cannot eliminate behavioral disruption adequately or when behavior poses a risk to patients or their caregivers [29]. In case of patients on risperidone, physicians must pay close attention to extrapyramidal symptoms (occurring in 37.6% of users) such as tremor, dystonia, and akathisia Metabolic changes, such as hyperprolactinemia (occurring in 87.2% of users), weight gain, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and other effects such as constipation and amenorrhea, should be closely monitored [38]. Once behavioral issues are appropriately controlled, medications should be weaned to their smallest effective dose [43]
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