Personality and trait disturbances in an adult mental retardation population: significance for psychiatric management.

The authors demonstrate the high prevalence of personality disorders in 384 intellectually impaired individuals examined in both community and institutional settings in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The relationship of specific clusters of personality disorders to later onset of psychiatric disorders in intellectually impaired individuals is suggested. New approaches to the management of personality disorders are noted utilizing clinical case studies. Differences and similarities in nomenclature in American and International diagnostic classifications are illustrated in this study. The use of a detailed longitudinal and cross-sectional collection of biological, social and standardized personality schedules is demonstrated as feasible in this special population.