COMMON APPROACHES FOR SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND MILD INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Authors: Keshwal Hemant Singh 
Published: May 2023

Intellectual disabilities affect approximately 1% of the population and are characterized by significantly impaired intellectual and adaptive skills. It can be said that individuals with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to mental illness than the general population. Whereas severe mental illness produces distortions of perception, delusions, hallucinations, and unusual behaviours are sometimes called thought disorders. The common factors that are found in both IDs and SMIs including reduced capacity to manage social and cognitive demands, problem-solving difficulties, poor social judgment and communication limitations. It has been observed that psychiatric assessment of a person with intellectual disabilities has much in common with assessments undertaken with people of mental illness, but there are a number of additional special considerations. It has been observed that an interdisciplinary evaluation of the individual in both the condition is necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis and to establish habilitation and treatment needs. A thorough medical and neurological evaluation should be included to identify acute or chronic conditions that may need attention. A psychiatric evaluation can determine if medication is appropriate. Follow-up interviews are required to monitor the individual’s response to the various treatments for both. A thorough medical and neurological evaluation should be included to identify acute or chronic conditions in case of epilepsy. On the other hand, psychiatric evaluation can determine if medication is appropriate. Follow-up interviews are required to monitor the individual’s response to the various treatments for both. Common intervention or treatment plans are at times shared by both mild intellectual disability and severe mental illness. The intervention plan includes: psychopharmacology for treating mood disorders and other psychotic disorders. The psychotherapy part which will include the behavioural, cognitive, gestalt and psychodynamic aspects. Group therapies include the skill training programs, assertiveness and anger management training. The behaviour management plans are developed to deal with maladaptive behaviours. Day treatment programs for rehabilitation and education purpose focuses on living skills, interpersonal skills, vocational preparation and enrichment. Social skill training program for the improvement of quality of life. Residential services will include inpatient units with intensive care for those with severe problems. Other crises intervention services are called upon at the time of emergencies to combat with the situation in demand Other services provided to individuals with intellectual and mental health problems may include physical therapy, speech therapy, art therapy and occupational therapy, among others, depending on individual needs. Therefore, it can be said that IDs and SMIs share common problems for which the therapies discussed above will help to develop a common approach in the process of making a common intervention plan for both and make successful outcome.