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Journal on Developmental Disabilities
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| Volume 10, No. 1 | other issues |
Aggression as a Symptom of Mood Destabilization in Pervasive Developmental DisordersAnna M. Palucka, Nadine Nyhus, and Yona Lunsky |
Editors / Review Board / Authors this Issue Articles / Abstracts Auditory Discriminations and the ABLA Test Maltreatment and Life Stressors in Single Mothers Depression, Temperament, in Children with Asperger’s Syndrome Successful Aging of Women with Intellectual Disabilities Service for Children and Youth Aggression: Symptom of Mood Destabilization Integration in Social Activities Hearing Impairment in Adults with PDD Parental Stress and Adaptive Functioning Stimulus Modalities in Choice Presentations Prenatal Psychological Processes |
AbstractMood disorders are underdiagnosed, and often misdiagnosed as psychotic or behavioral disturbance in people with developmental disabilities generally and particularly with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). It is often a behavioural change, predominantly aggression, that leads to a request for a consultation. A review of all outpatient referrals to the Dual Diagnosis consultation service revealed that physical aggression was a presenting problem for the majority of referrals irrespective of their PDD status. Clients with PDD constituted almost two-thirds of the referrals, and mood disorders were not recognized in 80% of those clients. Furthermore, discontinuation of antipsychotic medication was recommended for 80% of PDD clients with mood disorder. Diagnostic and treatment implications of these results are discussed. |
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copyright February, 2005. Ontario Association on Developmental
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