Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is more common in individuals with Down syndrome than it is in the general population. Standard medications for ADHD are generally effective in adults with Down syndrome, along with behavioral intervention, appropriate supervision, and strategies such as activity schedules and visual reminders.

Autism is diagnosed in 5-10% of people with Down syndrome, compared to only 0.13% of the general population. Nurses can be instrumental in obtaining behavioral services for these clients, as well as respite care to relieve caregivers.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Although obsessions are rare in individuals with Down syndrome, compulsive behaviors occur quite often. Some compulsive behaviors, such as manipulating straws or stuffed animals, are relatively harmless. Others, such as hair-pulling or continual hand-rubbing, can cause damage to the hair or skin.

Standard medications for OCD have been used successfully in adults with Down syndrome. (Info from the National Institute of Mental Health is presented at this link.)

Adults with Down syndrome show somewhat different symptoms of depression than non-disabled adults. The following symptoms are often associated with depression in adults with Down syndrome:

• skill and memory losses
• significant activity slowdowns
• hallucinatory-like self-talk
• extreme withdrawal, even to the point of psychotic features

Because adults with Down syndrome often develop depression after a loss, it’s important for nurses to assess for symptoms in patients following the death of a family member, change in roommates, retirement of a caregiver, or other loss-related events. Since depression can cause many symptoms indicative of Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to carefully report symptoms and changes in behavior to the client’s primary health care provider. Standard antidepressant medications, including SSRI’s, are used in adults with Down syndrome.