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Chapter 5 - Trauma in People with Intellectual Disability

Recognition and Intervention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2024

David M. L. Branford
Affiliation:
Independent Pharmacy Consultant
Satheesh K. Gangadharan
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Mary Barrett
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Regi T. Alexander
Affiliation:
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

Well documented in the lives of people with intellectual disability are greatly increased occurrences of adverse life events, exposure to abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), neglect, exploitation, victimisation, and hate crimes, in contrast to the general population. Shockingly, abuse has been reported in developmental service systems at even higher rates and in specialist treatment units such as Winterbourne View and Whorlton Hall. People with intellectual disability also experience trauma associated with physical restraint to manage behaviours that challenge services, negative consequences of psychotropic medication, greater exposure to painful medical procedures consequent to health issues, particularly in early and late stages of life and greater than typical discontinuities in care related to hospital admissions, respite, and staff turnover in group and institutional living. The evidence to support medication treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder is reviewed.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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