Outpatient psychotherapy for adults with mental retardation and concomitant psychopathology: Research and clinical imperatives.

Abstract

Historically, the perceived relation between mental illness and mental retardation has undergone substantial changes. During the past 2 centuries, clinical observations and systematic research addressing these 2 constructs have developed along separate lines. Consequently, the pathogenesis and treatment of psychopathology, emotional disorders, and behavior problems experienced by individuals with mental retardation have not been the purview of mainstream clinical psychology. This article initiates a special section on mental retardation and mental illness to provide up-to-date summaries of various key clinical and research issues regarding this population (i.e., individuals with "dual diagnoses").

Ethical Challenges in the Treatment of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

“…Several researchers contend that there is ample empirical support for a broad range of psychotherapeutic interventions with individuals with ID (Lynch, 2004;Nezu et al, 1994;Prout & Nowak-Drabik, 2003). Sturmey (2005) countered that only behavioral interventions have been consistently supported as effective with this population, insisting that "behavioral approaches must remain the preferred treatment option for people with mental retardation [ID]" (p. 56).…”

“…Psychologists may be intimidated by the prospect of treating individuals with intellectual disabilities (Edwards, Lennox, & White, 2007), or alternatively, they may be unnecessarily dismissive of the psychosocial needs of these individuals or pessimistic regarding a perceived inevitability of poor treatment outcomes. Given the increasingly promising literature countering these concerns (i.e., Lynch, 2004;Nezu, Nezu, & Gil-Weiss, 1994;Prout & Nowak-Drabik, 2003), such negative attitudes on the part of mental health care providers are not only unwarranted but likely harmful to the client (see Principles B, D, and E, as well as Standards 2.01 a and 3.04). Unequal access to care for individuals with ID represents a definitional case of injustice, which runs counter to psychologists' aspiration to promote justice in all their professional efforts.…”

Psychotherapy and learning disability

“…Nezu ef al have reviewed this literature and report overall positive effects, and suggest that group treatments can serve as a viable alternative or adjunct to individual psychotherapy; however the research currently lacks systematic or comparative studies. 22 Prout ef a/ 23 recently conducted a large systematic review of a wide range of studies in which they identified approximately 90 studies that were published from 1968 to 1998.…”

Services en santé mentale pour les personnes ayant un handicap intellectuel : combler des lacunes

“…Bien que le manque de services adéquats en santé mentale pour les personnes ayant un double diagnostic ait été dénoncé depuis plus de 20 ans, le problème demeure encore très actuel (Nezu et Nezu 1994). Cette situation est d'autant plus préoccupante que les personnes ayant un handicap intellectuel sont plus fragiles au plan émotionnel que celles n'ayant pas ce type de handicap (Bruininks, Hill et Morreau 1988;Matson et Sevin 1994;Reiss, Levitan et McNally 1982;Singh, Sood, Sonenklar et Ellis 1991).…”