DEPRESSION IN ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY .1. A REVIEW

Objective: To examine the available literature regarding prevalence, c linical features and treatment of depression in adults with intellectu al disability (ID). Method: A review of standard texts of ID and avail able literature examining psychiatric problems of individuals with ID. Results: Few methodologically sound studies of prevalence have been r eported. The clinical features of depression in adults with ID appear to vary with level of disability; in those with higher levels of disab ility in particular, irritability and anger, self-injurious and aggres sive behaviour, psychomotor change and loss of activities of daily liv ing skills may be observed rather than 'classic' depressive symptoms. No systematic treatment studies have been reported; case reports suppo rt the efficacy of cognitive and behavioural strategies, antidepressan ts and electroconvulsive therapy. Conclusions: Well designed studies t o assess the prevalence and evaluate the treatment of depression in in dividuals with ID are urgently needed. Design of these studies will ne ed to address the questions of reliability and validity of diagnosis i n individuals with ID and examine the appropriateness of available dia gnostic criteria.