ASSESSING PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

ABSTRACT Psychotic disorders have been reported to occur more frequently among people with intellectual disabilities than in the general population. However, scientific knowledge regarding the specific characteristics and diagnostic assessment of psychotic disorders in individuals with intellectual disabilities is limited. In clinical practice, possible psychotic symptoms are often first recognized and addressed in acute situations, although a careful assessment of potential psychotic symptoms almost always requires a multidisciplinary evaluation that takes into account the individual’s cognitive and emotional developmental level, other concurrent medical conditions, the aetiology of the intellectual disability and the individual’s communication skills. In this review, we discuss health-related and psychosocial factors to consider in clinical assessments within the diagnostic process. In addition, we present some methods and diagnostic tools that could be used for a more thorough evaluation and psychiatric diagnosis when conducting a high-quality diagnostic process.