[Experiences with psychopharmaceutic agents in mentally retarded children]

There is little known about the influence that psychopharmaca have on the specific biological and psychic characteristics of the mentally retarded child, but still these drugs are frequently prescribed for the treatment of behavioral problems and psychic disturbances of mentally retarded children. Clinical drug therapy of behavioral and psychic disturbances of mentally retarded children is discussed based on personal experience and attitudes of the author. Psychopharmaca can be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy or related therapeutic approaches. The aim must not be to change the behavior totally through the use of psychopharmaca, but to eliminate certain symptoms which hinder the effect of psychotherapy. The duration of the drug therapy should be limited to a few months. The proper combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy makes the use of these drugs superfluous after a few months. Practical advice is given for the physician who treats mentally retarded children.