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Minerva Psichiatrica 2005 March;46(1):29-34

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Aggressive behaviours in people with intellectual disabilities: psychopharmacological treatment

La Malfa G. P., Castellani A., Bertelli M., Lassi S.

Aggressive behaviours are frequent in people with intellectual disability (ID) and have significant clinical relevance. Aggressiveness is not only a specific aspect of ID but is the consequence of all those biological, psychological, social and environmental factors involved in the determination of vulnerability in people with ID. An approach that takes into account all these aspects is necessary to reach a correct diagnosis and display an effective integrated therapy. Only in this way psychopharmacological treatment can be effective since its aim is to correct the underlying psychophysiological factors and not only to tranquillize the patient. With such an approach the use of many drugs (antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants) has become useful in the promotion of health in people with ID.