Use of medication for the management of behavior problems among adults with intellectual disabilities: a clinicians' consensus survey.

Abstract

Current prescribing preferences among relevant experts regarding the use of psychotropic medication for the management of behavior problems in adults with intellectual disabilities in the absence of a diagnosed psychiatric illness was defined. We used a questionnaire design to synthesize the preferences of a large group, namely, clinical psychiatrists, thereby establishing a consensus. A total of 108 completed questionnaires were analyzed. A very strong preference for the use of nonmedication-based interventions was established. Of the medication options presented, atypical antipsychotics were most favored, with Risperidone the most preferred option from within this group. Citalopram was the most preferred antidepressant and Carbamazepine, the most preferred mood stabilizer/antiepileptic.