The Responsible Psychotropic Prescribing to People with an Intellectual Disability Podcasts aim to educate health professionals on safe and effective prescribing practices for the treatment of mental health disorders in people with an intellectual disability.
Who are the podcasts for?
The podcasts have been developed for medical and mental health professionals including psychiatrists, paediatricians and mental health nurses. They would also be beneficial for mainstream mental health professionals who want to improve their practice when working with people with an intellectual disability and co-occurring mental ill-health.
Why should you learn about responsible prescribing?
People with an intellectual disability experience high rates of mental ill health. Compared to the general population, people with an intellectual disability are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications at a younger age and for longer time periods, and they are more likely to be prescribed more than one psychotropic medication at once. High use of psychotropic prescription compromises the health of people with an intellectual disability by increasing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Access the podcasts
The first series of podcasts focuses on treating adults, and the second series of podcasts is focused on treating children and adolescents. Each series is divided into four, independent episodes. All podcasts are accessible through the links below.
Responsible psychotropic prescribing to adults with an intellectual disability:
- Episode 1: Recognising symptoms of mental illness in adults with an intellectual disability
- Episode 2: Deciding if, when and what to prescribe
- Episode 3: Instituting, monitoring and discontinuing psychotropic treatment
- Episode 4: Consumer perspectives
Responsible psychotropic prescribing to children and adolescents with an intellectual disability: