Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and People with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder among people with learning disabilities. The article summarizes literature reviewed from MEDLINE for the period between 1997 and 2001. People with learning disabilities may experience emotional traumas that impact upon their ability to enjoy life and maintain valued relationships, with much of this trauma manifesting itself through challenging behaviour. The authors discuss key points from the literature and suggest that post-traumatic stress syndrome in people with learning disabilities frequently goes unrecognized.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing in the treatment of trauma with mild intellectual disabilities: a case study

“…It has been suggested that the range of potentially traumatic experiences is greater in people with intellectual disabilities compared to those with a relatively high level of intellectual functioning (Martorell and Tsakanikos, 2008). This may be as a result of increased vulnerability and exposure to life stressors (Martorell and Tsakanikos, 2008), reduced skills in the verbal expression of feelings and emotions (Doyle and Mitchel, 2003), traumatic experiences not being reported, known, or even recognised by individuals themselves or caregivers (Ryan, 1994). It has also been suggested that starting to understand oneself as disabled is potentially traumatising in itself (Hollins and Sinason, 2000;Levitas and Gibson, 2001).…”

A prospective study of the relationship between adverse life events and trauma in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities

“…). Although studies have demonstrated evidence of the possible adverse effects of life events on mental health few empirical studies have focussed on trauma as a specific outcome in people with ID (McCarthy ; Doyle & Mitchell ; Mitchell & Clegg ), though preliminary findings do suggest a relationship between the experience of adverse life events and the development of trauma in the form of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this cohort (Sequeira et al . ; Mitchell et al .…”

Strong and Safe: a healthy relationships and empowerment group for women with disabilities

“…Some practitioners label persons with disabilities exposed to trauma as difficult clients (Doyle & Mitchell, 2003). Yalom and Leszcs (2005) consider that when a client is considered difficult it is essential to reflect on your counter-transference.…”

“…However, efforts will be made to assist group members to become connected with other mental health services within the community when there seems to be untreated mental health concerns. Mental health concerns, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are often under diagnosed and under identified in persons with disabilities due to the way diagnostic criteria are based on persons with standard intellectual functioning (Doyle & Mitchell, 2003). Often, the symptoms of PTSD are misidentified when an individual has limitations in their ability to express or process information and may lead to alternative diagnosis for persons with intellectual disabilities such as anxiety, insomnia, obsessions, and schizophrenia (Doyle & Mitchell, 2003).…”

“…For example, Doyle and Mitchell (2003) highlighted that insight can be drawn into the presentation of PTSD in individual with learning disabilities from the diagnostic criteria for children and PTSD. Using criteria for children may reflect the individual's ability to process information cognitively and emotionally and therefore their response to trauma (Doyle & Mitchell, 2003). Due to the complexity of comorbid disorders with persons with disabilities it would be ethical to complete referrals for further screening when any indicators of additional mental health concerns arise.…”