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Depression in adults with intellectual disability. Part 2: A pilot study
J P Davis1, F K Judd, H Herrman
1Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Diagnosing depression in adults with intellectual disability (ID) is challenging. Modified assessment tools, including visual analogue scales (VAS) and specific criteria, improved diagnosis rates in this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Intellectual Disability Research
- Mental Health Assessment
Background:
- Depressive disorders are prevalent in adults with intellectual disability (ID).
- Standard diagnostic criteria and assessment tools may not adequately capture depression in this population.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and improved quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify adults with intellectual disability (ID) experiencing depressive disorders.
- To investigate the common clinical features of depression in adults with ID.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of visual analogue scale (VAS) measures, the CORE measure, and substitutive diagnostic criteria for assessing depression in adults with ID.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month psychiatric evaluation of 47 patients with intellectual disability.
- Utilized VAS for emotion/behavior, CORE measure for psychomotor disturbance, and author-designed substitutive criteria.
- Assessed depression, irritability, aggression, temper outbursts, and regressed behavior using VAS.
Main Results:
- Ten patients (21%) were diagnosed with a depressive disorder.
- Substitutive diagnostic criteria yielded a higher diagnosis rate compared to standard DSM-IV criteria.
- High scores on VAS for irritability and melancholic subgroup assignment via CORE measure were observed in all depressed patients.
Conclusions:
- Standard assessment measures and diagnostic criteria may need adaptation for adults with ID.
- Melancholic features in this population warrant further investigation.
- Modified assessment approaches enhance diagnostic accuracy for depression in adults with ID.