Episodic psychiatric disorders in teenagers with learning disabilities with and without autism

Background Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities and autism are poorly understood. Aims To investigate the prevalence of episodic psychiatric disorders in a sample of teenagers with learning disabilities with and without autism. Method Teenagers with learning disabilities living in one geographical area were identified. Those with autism were matched to those without. A semistructured investigator-based interview linked to Research Diagnostic Criteria was used to assess prevalence and type of episodic disorders. Results Significantly more individuals with autism had a lifetime episodic disorder, most commonly major depression. Two individuals with autism had bipolar affective disorder. Other episodic disorders with mood components and behaviour change were also evident, as were unclassifable disorders characterised by complex psychiatric symptoms, chronicity and general deterioration. Antipsychotics and stimulants were most frequently prescribed; the former associated with episodic disorder, the latter with autism. Conclusions Teenagers with learning disabilities and autism have higher rates of episodic psychiatric disorders than those with learning disabilities alone.