The Natural History of Behavioural Symptoms among Severely and Profoundly Mentally Retarded Patients

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Abstract
Summary: In a study of the evolution of behavioural symptoms in severely and profoundly mentally retarded adults in hospital over a period of six years, items of abnormal behaviour were found to be remarkably persistent. There is a high prevalence rate of psychiatric disorder in this population, when this disorder is defined in a widely descriptive sense. A substantially improved living environment, and increased staff-patient ratios, are prerequisites for improving disturbed behaviour in these patients.