Maladaptive behaviors associated with neuroleptic drug maintenance.

In this study we examined whether the decision to maintain mentally retarded persons on neuroleptic drugs was associated with specific maladaptive behaviors. A drug-withdrawal group, a drug-reinstatement group, and a drug-control group were used. A two-way repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance design indicated that mentally retarded persons were more likely to be maintained on drugs because of events that were perceived as significant and recorded by institutional staff in clinical notes than because of the reasons for which the drugs were prescribed initially. In particular, staff members' perceptions of disturbing behavior, self-stimulation, and physical aggression were likely to influence their decision to maintain mentally retarded persons on neuroleptics.