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The Motor Disorders of Mental Handicap

An Overlap with the Motor Disorders of Severe Psychiatric Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. Rogers ,
C. Karki ,
C. Bartlett  and
P. Pocock
D. Rogers*
Affiliation:
Burden Neurological Hospital, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1QT
C. Karki
Affiliation:
Stoke Park Hospital, Stapleton
C. Bartlett
Affiliation:
Purdown Hospital, Stapleton
P. Pocock
Affiliation:
Burden Neurological Institute, Stapleton
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Among 236 in-patients in one hospital for the mentally handicapped, there was a significant relationship between the amount of motor disorder (rated using a comprehensive check-list) and the severity of mental handicap, the presence of associated psychiatric disorder and the use of neuroleptic medication. The population was fairly evenly divided between those currently, previously and never having received neuroleptic medication. All categories of motor disorder, including abnormal movements, were present in all three subgroups. Neuroleptic medication appeared to modify the expression of motor disorder rather than producing it de novo. The range and frequency of motor disorders was comparable with that in patients with severe psychiatric illness. A common cerebral basis for the motor disorders of patients with mental handicap and severe psychiatric illness is suggested.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 97 - 102
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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