Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Disorders in Adults with Developmental Disabilities

While the idea that individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) can suffer from mental illness has been largely accepted since the late 1980's, this is still an underserved and poorly studied population. In particular, mood disorders have traditionally been misdiagnosed, under-recognized and poorly treated. Through the years, reported rates of mood disorders in adults with DD have varied widely. Recent epidemiological studies have focused on community samples and find rates of mood disorders from 3 to 8.1%. Mood disorders are found to be more prevalent than psychotic disorders or anxiety disorders. The empirical literature on assessment of mood symptoms in adults with DD is limited, particularly in individuals with severe and profound DD. Several tools have been developed to assist in identification and diagnosis. However, the work on their psychometric properties and validity studies is still quite limited. The treatment literature is sparse and focused primarily on pharmacotherapy. This review considers the epidemiology and diagnosis of mood disorders in individuals with DD. Recent developments in assessment are reviewed. The literature regarding pharmacological treatment with antidepressants, mood stabilizers, electroconvulsive therapy and antipsychotics is summarized and the current state of psychological treatments for mood disorders in persons with DD is presented. Implications for clinical care and future research are considered.     

Diagnosis and Treatment of Aggression in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Aggressive behavior is a common referral problem for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD), placing them at risk for institutionalization, social isolation, physical restraint, over-use of medication to treat behavior problems, exclusion from services, and becoming a victim of abuse. Aggression strains relationships between individuals being supported and their caregivers, whether professionals or family members. The treatment of aggression is persons with DD, with or without comorbid mental illness, remains a controversial area and changes in practice have been slow to come. The evidence related to pharmacotherapy and psychological treatment is, in general, either lacking or poor. This does not suggest that these treatments are necessarily ineffective but that there is not enough good quality evidence to support their usefulness. This review considers the prevalence and correlates of aggression, as well as possible causative factors. The relationship between mental illness, intellectual disability and aggression is explored. The psychopharmacological and psychological treatment literature is reviewed with implications for clinical care and future research.     

Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Controlled Trial

A family-based, cognitive behavioural treatment for anxiety in 47 children with comorbid anxiety disorders and High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFA) was evaluated. Treatment involved 12 weekly group sessions and was compared with a waiting list condition. Changes between pre- and post-treatment were examined using clinical interviews as well as child-, parent- and teacher-report measures. Following treatment, 71.4% of the treated participants no longer fulfilled diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. Comparisons between the two conditions indicated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms as measured by self-report, parent report and teacher report. Discussion focuses on the implications for the use of cognitive behaviour therapy with HFA children, for theory of mind research and for further research on the treatment components.     

Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Longitudinal Data on Diagnostic Disagreement in 150 Clients

The current paper describes the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in a large sample (n = 150) of adolescents with developmental disabilities who were hospitalized for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Differential diagnoses made during their inpatient stay in a specialty unit for the assessment and treatment of dually diagnosed adolescents are presented and contrasted with longitudinal/historical data on these same patients' diagnoses prior to admission. Results indicate that these individuals received a wide spectrum of diagnoses during their adolescent years. The paper offers indirect support that correctly diagnosing psychiatric conditions is often challenging in adolescents with developmental disabilities. Factors related to diagnostic complexity and misdiagnoses (false positives and false negatives) are discussed. Longitudinal data on psychotropic medication usage for these individuals are also presented.     

脑神经胶质瘤病的诊断和治疗

目的探讨脑神经胶质瘤病（Gc）的诊断和治疗方法。方法对2001年1月至2007年3月本科收治的10例GC患者行MRI检查，显示所有患者均累及至少2个脑叶，5例行磁共振波谱（MRS）检查的患者中，发现4例N-乙酰天门冬氨酸降低和胆碱升高。6例行开颅肿瘤切除术，4例行MRI导航下立体定向活检术。结果治疗后临床症状改善5例，恶化1例，2例肢体无力同术前，治疗前有癫痫发作的3例中2例用药后癫痫未发作。本组死亡6例，平均生存期12。2月。结论MRI及MRS对GC的诊断有较大意义。手术切除肿瘤并术后辅以放、化疗，可能对提高GC患者生存质量及延长其生存期有一定帮助。     

Prevalence and functioning of children with cerebral palsy in four areas of the United States in 2006: a report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network

Aim

To estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and the frequency of co-occurring developmental disabilities (DDs), gross motor function (GMF), and walking ability using the largest surveillance DD database in the US.

Methods

We conducted population-based surveillance of 8-year-old children in 2006 (N = 142,338), in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Missouri. This multi-site collaboration involved retrospective record review at multiple sources. We reported CP subtype, co-occurring DDs, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and walking ability as well as CP period prevalence by race/ethnicity and sex.

Results

CP prevalence was 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-3.7) per 1000 and varied by site, ranging from 2.9 (Wisconsin) to 3.8 (Georgia) per 1000, 8-year olds (p < 0.02). Approximately 81% had spastic CP. Among children with CP, 8% had an autism spectrum disorder and 35% had epilepsy. Using the GMFCS, 38.1% functioned at the highest level (I), with 17.1% at the lowest level (V). Fifty-six percent were able to walk independently and 33% had limited or no walking ability.

Interpretation

Surveillance data are enhanced when factors such as functioning and co-occurring conditions known to affect clinical service needs, quality of life, and health care are also considered.     

The Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Devout Christian Clients

Summary

Anxiety raises key spiritual concerns, such as control, letting go, fear, trust, and priorities for devout Christian clients. This article strives to increase the sensitivity of therapists to these spiritual concerns. While clinical interventions emphasize the management of anxiety, Christian spirituality points beyond mere coping with this disorder to a freedom from it. A review of biblical insights draws the conclusion that the spiritual antidote to anxiety is a radical trust rooted in an intimate relationship with God. A model for intervention is presented for helping devout Christian clients develop radical trust and intimate relationships through spiritual resources and spiritual dialogue.     

Anxiety profiles in children with and without developmental coordination disorder

Previous work has highlighted that children diagnosed with DCD may be at risk of greater problems related to emotional wellbeing. However, to date much work has relied on population based samples, and anxiety has not been examined within a group of children given a clinical diagnosis of DCD. Additionally, the profile of individual differences has generally not been considered within this group. Therefore, a group of parents (n = 27) completed the parent version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P; Spence, 1998) in relation to their children with a diagnosis of DCD. Their responses on this measure were compared to those of parents with typically developing (TD) children (n = 35; both groups 6-15 years of age). Children diagnosed with DCD were reported to experience significantly greater levels of anxiety overall, as well as having significantly greater difficulty than the TD group in the domains of panic/agoraphobic anxiety, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive anxiety. In addition, the individual profiles of types of anxiety reportedly experienced varied widely across the DCD group. These findings suggest that anxiety is a major problem for a proportion of children diagnosed with DCD, and raises questions regarding intervention, long term outcomes, and the nature of the disorder itself.     

Screening for Anxiety and Depression in Community Mental Health: The Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories

Accurate diagnosis is key to providing quality services in community mental health. This research examined the ability of the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories to identify anxiety and depression in community settings. The diagnostic accuracy of these instruments was compared with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV in a sample of 288 distressed women seeking treatment for their children. Operating characteristic curves indicated the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories hold utility as screens for panic and major depressive disorder, respectively. Deploying these instruments as initial screens in a tiered diagnostic system may improve diagnostic accuracy in community settings.     

Differentiating between Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities in Children Who Failed a Screening Instrument for ASD

This study compared behavioral presentation of toddlers with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and toddlers with global developmental delay (DD) or developmental language disorder (DLD) who display some characteristics of ASD using the diagnostic algorithm items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Generic (ADOS), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). To date, 195 children have failed the M-CHAT and have been diagnosed with ASD, DD or DLD. Children with ASD had prominent and consistent impairments in socialization skills, especially joint attention skills and were more impaired in some aspects of communication, play, and sensory processing. Children with ASD and children with DD/DLD shared common features, but certain behavioral markers differentiated the two groups.     

颅内结核瘤的诊断与治疗

目的 进一步提高对颅内结核瘤的诊断与治疗水平。方法 对7例颅内结核瘤的临床特点、CT和MRI的改变进行回顾性分析。结果 7例中5例全切,2例部分切除,术后给予正规抗结核治疗,全部治愈。结论 对于不能确诊的病例行手术切除或活检可明确诊断,对其治疗应制定正确的方案,避免延误治疗。     

颅内生殖细胞瘤的诊断及综合治疗

目的 探讨颅内生殖细胞瘤的诊断及综合治疗方法与疗效。方法 本组颅内生殖细胞瘤31例中，29例手术治疗(含1例行脑室—腹腔分流，3例行脑室外引流)，2例未手术。此外，29例进行了放疗，8例进行了化疗。结果 临床症状改善27例，无变化4例。随访27例，13例恢复正常工作；8例生活能自理；2例生活需要帮助；2例术后2年复发，经再次手术，症状缓解；死亡2例。结论 颅内生殖细胞瘤手术难以根治，术后正规放疗效果好，对多发性，复发性肿瘤可放疗加化疗。     

Anxiety and depression in primary care patients: predictors of symptom severity and developmental correlates

OBJECTIVE: A study in a German general practice used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in 242 consecutive patients. The study had two additional goals: (1) to identify indicators of symptom severity and (2) to validate the HADS by relating it to measures of developmental psychopathology. METHODS: In addition to the HADS, clinical/sociodemographic data were collected. Patients filled up additional questionnaires measuring attachment characteristics, recalled parental rearing behavior, resilience, adverse childhood experiences, and physical complaints. RESULTS: Using HADS cutoff scores of > or =11 in total, we found that 21.1% of the patients showed clinically relevant anxiety levels; the rate for depression was 12.0%, that for anxiety or depression was 26.1%, and that for anxiety and depression combined was 7%. With the exception of psychiatric disorders, the HADS did not differentiate between subgroups with different somatic diseases. HADS scores were shown to be predicted by the patients' sex, family status, number of consultations, and subjective physical complaints. Patients with higher HADS scores also indicated lower resilience, more insecure attachment, and negative recalled parental rearing behavior. Resilience, attachment security, and specific parental behavior (control/warmth) independently predicted anxiety, depression, and physical complaints. CONCLUSION: This study provides further support for the usefulness of the HADS as a measure for routine screening for anxiety and depression and its relationship with constructs from developmental psychopathology. We recommend the use of the HADS in combination with potential indicators of symptom severity (fatigue, cardiovascular symptoms, high number of consultations) to identify patients needing psychosocial support.