RESPONDENT AND INFORMANT ACCOUNTS OF PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS IN A SAMPLEOF PATIENTS WITH LEARNING-DISABILITY

This paper investigates differences in the nature and frequency of psy chiatric symptoms reported by patients with learning disability and by key informants. The study involved psychiatric assessment of 100 pati ents with learning disabilities and key informants using the Psychiatr ic Assessment Schedule for Adults with a Developmental Disability (PAS -ADD), a semi-structured psychiatric interview developed specifically for people who have a learning disability. There was considerable disa greement between respondent and informant interviews: only 40.7% of ca ses were detected by both interviews. Respondents were more likely to report on autonomic symptoms and certain psychotic phenomena. Other an xiety and depression symptoms were more frequently reported by informa nts. The results indicate that it is crucial for sensitive case detect ion to complete both interviews where possible. If the respondent cann ot be interviewed, panic disorder or phobias may be particularly diffi cult to detect.