Psychopathology in adult mentally handicapped hospital patients

In a population of 100 adult mentally handicapped patients, 71% had one or more ICD-9 diagnoses. The most common diagnosis was behavioural disorder, followed by affective psychosis and neurosis. Maladaptive behaviour was highest in younger, brighter patients and in patients who were psychiatrically disturbed. These findings have implications for the selection of patients for community living programmes, and for the appropriateness of providing treatment for particular mentally handicapped patients in psychiatric settings.