Behaviour symptoms among severely and profoundly mentally retarded patients. A 16-18 year follow-up study.

Background: Little is known about the natural history and evolution of behaviour symptoms and patterns in severely and profoundly mentally retarded adults. This paper reports a cohort study of 100 such adults.

Method: Abnormal behaviour symptoms and patterns have been followed, using a carer rating scale and the modified Manifest Abnormality Scale of Goldberg's Clinical Interview Schedule (1970) by the same two consultant psychiatrists in 1975, 1981 and 1992.

Results: Emotional withdrawal, stereotypes and eye avoidance are particularly persistent. Carer ratings of noisiness and social withdrawal, and psychiatrist ratings of suspiciousness, overactivity and hostile irritability, are also persistent but to a lesser degree. Overall ratings of psychiatric disorder are persistent and act against successful community placement.

Conclusions: Abnormal behaviour patterns in severely and profoundly mentally retarded adults show only a modest degree of abatement over time. Care staff need a good understanding of clinical psychiatric and behaviour management techniques.