These are long-term problems in adjustment. There a number of different subtypes. These individuals might be described by one or more of the following: emotionally needy, inappropriately seeking attention, nonassertive, always getting into fights or trouble, volatile, unstable, or having a problem with anger.
These are disturbances in mood, usually indicated by profound sadness and noticeable changes in eating, sleeping and energy levels. Sometimes a disorder is indicated by sudden bursts of euphoria.
These are indicated by the presence of excessive fears, frequent complaints of bodily ailments headaches, stomachaches, dizziness , and excessive nervousness lasting for weeks. These include panic disorder, excessive fears, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These can be indicated by gross deterioration in behavior from previous levels, extreme disorientation and extreme confusion.
Common signs are confusion thoughts may jump from one idea to the next , hearing voices that are not there, excessive resentment and poor impulse control and behavior or habits that impress others as strange. The individual is a loner who avoids peers for fear of rejection, embarrassment or criticism. This condition is sometimes mistaken for autism. The individual is very suspicious of others and quick to feel insulted and belittled.
People with this problem may be volatile, stubborn, difficult to get along with, unreasonable, and have a tendency to overreact make mountains out of molehills. These include self-injurious behavior, hyperactivity, extreme irritability and chronic aggression or antisocial behavior.
Researchers have found that behavior problems are sometimes related to depression, paranoia, psychosis, underlying medical conditions or specific brain dysfunction. What methods are used to diagnose mental illness in a person with mental retardation?
The diagnoses are best made by a qualified psychiatrist or clinical psychologist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association in These instruments should be used only as one part of a general assessment and never as the sole or primary basis for diagnosis and planning treatment.
Why do people with mental retardation develop mental illnesses and behavior problems? Scientists still do not know for certain what causes most mental illness. Most researchers believe that both biological and psychological risk factors are involved, but to varying degrees depending on the specific disorder. Some disorders may be wholly or largely caused by biochemical and structural abnormalities in the brain. Proclivities toward such abnormalities are sometimes inherited. Biochemical and structural abnormalities seem to be especially important in the occurrence of psychosis and explosive behavior.
Life history and environment also may contribute to the development of the severity of psychosis and precipitate behavioral outbursts in susceptible individuals. Some disorders may be wholly or largely caused by psychological factors, especially prolonged exposure to negative social conditions. The negative attitudes of the public toward people with mental retardation may promote the development of mental illnesses as a means of coping.
For example, rebellion against negative social conditions can be labeled as "antisocial behavior;" the belief that a situation is hopeless often leads to depression; and an attempt to avoid negative social conditions often results in withdrawal into a fantasy world. How many people with mental retardation are mentally ill? The rate of mental illness among individuals with mental retardation varies considerably depending on age, type of mental illness and research selection factors.
Rates of 10 to 40 percent have been reported for individuals served by community agencies; much lower rates of 10 to 20 percent have been reported in large population surveys. The primary reasons for high rates is that personality disorders are common. The single most common mental health problem is poor social skills. Conduct and behavioral problems occur for about one in five people in the community. The rate for affective disorders is about 3 to 6 percent of the general population of people with mental retardation.
They have noticeable delays, especially in speech. May have some unusual physical signs clumsy, ungainly, deformities and poor motor coordination.
They Can learn simple communication, elementary health and safety habits, can participate in simple activities and self-care, perform tasks in sheltered conditions and Can travel alone to familiar places. They can attain intellectual level similar to those of average 4 to 7 year old children. They have lagged conceptual skills. Need assistance in day to day tasks. Significant social and communication skills are lagged. By teaching and training individual can be independed in fulfilling personal needs.
Function at one fifth to one third of CA IQ: 20 to They are Dependent retarted. Have Marked and obvious delays; may walk late. Little or no communication skills but may have some understanding of speech and show some response.
Their speech and communication is focused on here and now with in everyday events. They can be taught daily routines and repetitive activities can be trained in simple self-care. Such kind of children need direction and supervision. They can develop limited levels of personal hygiene and self help skills.
Attainment of concepts in severely mentally retarded will be limited. They have marked delays in all areas. Congenital abnormalities often present. Often need attendant care. So they are called Life support retarded or custodial. They respond to regular physical activity and social stimulation and not capable of self-care.
Conceptual skills generally involve physical world than symbolic process. Individuals use objects in goal directed manner. Motor and sensory impairments may prevent functional use of objects. Individuals have very limited understanding of speech and gesture. Individuals will enjoy interaction with family members and care takers. Brain Defects in Mental Retardation Some cases of mental retardation occur in association with known organic brain pathology kaski, Profound retardation, which fortunately is rare, always includes obvious organic impairment.
Genetic Chromosomal Factors, Infections and toxic agents, Trauma physical injury Ionizing radiation are some factors which cause mental retardation. Genetic aberrations are responsible for metabolic alterations that adversely affect the brain development involve many other developmental anomalies besides mental retardation- for eg:- autism.
Mental retardation associated with known genetic chromosomal defects is moderate to severe Infections and Toxic Agents: Mental retardation can also be associated with wide range of conditions due to infection such as viral encephalitis, or genital herpes kaski, If a pregnant lady is infected with syphilis or HIV-1 or if she gets German measles, her child may suffer brain damage.
We are in developing world where pollution and electronic goods rule our world. Increased level of Carbon Monoxide can lead to brain damage and thus cause mental retardation. If pregnant lady took drugs or alcohol then child have more chances to be mentally retarded. Ionizing Radiation: Powerful radiation can damage sex cells, other body cells and tissues. Each and every country in this world is trying to be number one in Nuclear weapons. So they are conducting tests to improve their weapons but these kind of testing are harmful for human beings.
We have a perfect example of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Then Leakages at nuclear power stations like what happened in Bhopal. In a race to rule the world we are destroying dreams of thousands of unborn babies. Malposition of fetus andbleeding within the brain can also cause mental retardation. Hypoxia i. It is associated with severe and moderate mental retardation.
The behavioral health needs of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities often go unrecognized. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often defined by their behavior.
Recognizing that behavior is a form of communication and not a symptom of a person's disability is crucial to understanding what a person's needs are and supporting them to meet those needs.
The co-existence of a psychiatric disorder can have serious effects on a person's daily functioning and can greatly reduce their quality of life. If a person's behavior is attributed to their disability, behavioral health conditions may go undiagnosed and individuals may not receive necessary treatment and support. Recognition of the behavioral health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is fundamental in supporting mental wellness.
Understanding trauma and using a trauma-informed care approach will support resiliency and recovery in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have experienced trauma. Texas Health and Human Services.
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