Lahari Therapy Centre

Department of Psychiatry

Psychiatry focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders and associated mental health conditions, helping individuals achieve improved functioning and a better quality of life.

Understanding Intellectual Disability

Mental Retardation (MR) / Intellectual Disability is a clinical entity by itself. It is not a disease or an illness. Intellectual disability can be a congenital or an acquired condition. Early identification and early intervention can limit the extent of the disability.

Intellectual disability can occur alone or can be a part of a syndrome. The etiology can be due to prenatal, intranatal and postnatal causes. Of the many causes, some can be treated. Prevention is possible by creating awareness and educating the public. Treatment plan depends on the etiology.

Associated Conditions

Epilepsy

Metabolic Disorders

Genetic Abnormalities

Congenital Causes

Autism

ADHD

Behavioral Problems

Early Intervention

The concept of early intervention in intellectual disability has made a wonderful prognosis in children below the age of 3–4 years with developmental delay. The earlier the children are identified with developmental delay, the better are the chances of mainstreaming them.

Medical Management

Medical management can help in decreasing the extent of retardation. There is a promising line of management for some particular conditions. Anticonvulsants have markedly changed the clinical presentation of children with intellectual disability due to epilepsy. Conditions like Mental Retardation, Epilepsy, ADHD, Anxiety Neurosis, Schizophrenia and Sleep Disturbances have proven benefits from medication. Medical management combined with therapeutic interventions provides a good prognosis.