Psychotropic medication use in people with developmental disabilities.

Abstract

Psychotropic medications are frequently used to treat undesirable behaviors in persons with developmental disabilities. Successful use of these drugs is dependent on accurate assessment of the psychiatric disorder or behavioral problem. Treatment of aggression and self-injurious behavior and the use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, beta-blocking agents, and naltrexone will be discussed.