Psychiatric morbidity in a mental retardation unit

ABSTRACT

This study is an attempt to classify mental disorders in mentally retarded patients within the existing psychiatric diagnostic framework. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was estimated to be 58% among 31 patients in a private hospital for mentally handicapped in Cairo. Depression, schizophrenia and early childhood autism were present in 3 cases, while neurotic disorders, behaviour disorders, hyperkinetic syndrome and hypomania presented themselves in 2 patients. Organic catatonia was detected in 1 case. Epilepsy showed itself in 11 retarded patients [35.5%], chiefly of grand mal type [63.6%]. Aggression was a common symptom found especially in epileptic retarded patients, particularly in females and those with severe retardation. A plea is made for further studies on psychiatric morbidity of mentally retarded patients