It is a permanent condition, not an illness or disease. Intellectual disability cannot be cured or treated with medication. With the right support, people with intellectual disabilities can learn enough life skills to cope and be involved in their community. This where Camphill comes in, providing a secure and active community in which people with intellectual disability can reach their full potential.
Mental illness affects emotions, mood, perceptions and behaviour and can be suffered by people of all levels of intellectual ability. It is not clear what causes schizophrenia but a combination of several factors, including physical and environmental influences, are likely to contribute. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol may also have an effect.
There are several reasons that people with intellectual disability tend to have mental illness more often than other people in the community. They may have:. You should seek professional advice if you are caring for someone whose behaviour has significantly changed.
Speak to the person's GP, their case manager, a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. It is useful for you or another carer to go with the person to their first appointment. Family or carers will be able to provide support and describe the changes they have noticed. Keeping records will show how often the illness occurs and when. Any change from usual behaviours may be important and help identify if someone is experiencing mental illness.
Treatment options can be considered once a professional diagnosis is made. Treatments must only be delivered by qualified and accredited mental health professionals. They may include:. Maintaining a normal routine can help reduce stress levels for a person with mental illness. An organised and stable home environment with meaningful activities can help people feel safe and secure and help their treatment.
Black Dog Institute - mood disorder diagnosis, treatment and support information Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties - runs the IAPT program for people with learning disabilities. Healthy Mind - an Easy Read tool to help people with intellectual disability recognise and regulate their thoughts and feelings. Head to Health - Australian online and phone supports, resources and treatment options Mental Health First Aid Downloads - resources for intellectual disability and mental health problems or crises.
Mind Australia - community mental health support National Association for the Dually Diagnosed - a US site with training and information on mental health and intellectual or developmental disabilities. Psychiatric Assessment Schedules for Adults with Developmental Disabilities - a set of mental health assessments for people with intellectual disability.
A major barrier to diagnosing mental health problems in people with a learning disability is that symptoms shown by someone with a learning disability might be seen as behaviour related to their learning disability instead of the real problem - the mental health problem. Another reason is that mental health and learning disability services are often separate, and do not always work together. This means that assessment measures to detect mental health problems in people with a learning disability are not always well developed.
If you think you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health problem and would like to talk to someone about it, please call our helpline on We're happy to help answer your questions or direct you to places that can provide the right support. Related posts. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
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