Psychiatric Disorders in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Preliminary Study of Prevalence and Associated Factors

Abstract

Introduction

Studies have shown that people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) develop mental illness at rates similar to or higher than general population1.

Objectives

There is no previous study on mental health of adults with ID in Turkey.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of mental disorders in adults with ID in Turkey.

Methods

151 participants with ID aged 18 and over were recruited from care homes, rehabilitation centers and from people attending to psychiatry outpatients for the first time. Every participant underwent face to face assessment by a psychiatrist supported by an informant and previous notes. A structured purpose designed socio-demographic form was used. Diagnoses were drawn according to DSM-5. Point prevalence of disorders was calculated and associated factors were investigated.

Results

63.5% of the participants met criteria for one psychiatric disorder, 21% had more than one disorder. The most common disorders were: challenging behavior (34%), autism spectrum disorders (%13.9), and anxiety disorders (13.9%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (10.6%). Living in a care home and being young were associated with mental ill health (P < 0.05) [1].

Conclusion

This study demonstrates high psychiatric comorbidity in adults with ID. Young age and care homes were the associated factors in this sample. These results are important to raise awareness of professionals and service providers about mental health of adults with ID.

Disclosure of interest

This project was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) with a project number of BİDEB 115C015. The funding body did not have any involvement with data collection, analysis or writing up.