The relationship between manic symptoms on the DASH II and YMRS and feeding/mealtime behavior problems

This study represents the first to assess whether a relationship between manic symptoms and feeding/mealtime behavior problems exists in individuals with ID. Participants were compared across three groups (manic, non-manic psychiatrically impaired, and controls) on the diagnostic assessment for the severely handicapped-revised (DASH-II) and young mania rating scale (YMRS) and items of the screening tool of feeding problems (STEP). Individuals in the manic group exhibited clinically significant symptoms of mania (n=18), those in the non-manic psychiatrically impaired group exhibited symptoms of psychopathology other than mania (n=18), and those in the control group did not exhibit symptoms of mania or any other psychopathology (n=18). Significant differences were found across the groups for a number of items. Specifically, individuals exhibiting symptoms of mania were significantly more likely to 'continue to eat as long as food was available', 'to require special positioning during feeding, and 'to engage in problem behaviors during mealtime (e.g., aggression)'. These individuals were also significantly less likely to 'eat foods of only certain textures'. Implications of these data are discussed.