Personality Disorders in Intellectual Disability: Approaches to Pharmacotherapy
R.T. Alexander, MRCPsych, M. Tajuddin, MRCPsych & S.K. Gangadharan, M.D. (Psych), MRCPsych

Though contentious, the diagnosis of personality disorders in intellectual disability is clinically relevant. Psychotropic medication is widely prescribed in this population. The clinical approach to prescribing is based on tackling the distressing symptoms. Using the findings of an audit on pharmacotherapy in personality disorder, this paper explores the target symptoms for treatment. In addition it discusses the framework of five main symptom domains within personality disorders in intellectual disability, reviews the published evidence and sets out some drug treatment approaches. Audit standards for monitoring these treatments are proposed.