Psychiatric illness and behavioural problems in adults with learning disability and epilepsy

Abstract

We retrospectively collected data on the rate and type of psychiatric illness and behavioural problems on 143 adults with learning disability and epilepsy. 55% of the cohort showed behavioural problems. 19% showed physical aggression, 17% showed verbal aggression and temper tantrums, and 13% showed self injurious behaviour. The overall rates of behavioural problems and different types of behaviours found in the current study cohort are similar to what was found before in learning disabled adults in general, as well as in epileptic and non-epileptic learning disabled adults. Psychiatric diagnosis was made in 12.6% of the cohort. A combined diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder and schizo-affective disorder was most common (5%), followed by a diagnosis of depressive episode (3%), but no one had a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder.