Abstract
A woman with diagnoses of severe mental retardation and chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia exhibited aggression and tantrums for 17 years despite treatment with various psychopharmacological agents in combination with behavioral interventions. Her aggression caused an average of two injuries per month to peers and staff. Her tantrums lasted an average of 36 min and included screaming in excess of 115 decibels (dBA’s). Clozapine combined with differential reinforcement and time out was successful in achieving large reductions in both aggression and tantrums. Psychotic symptoms were not appreciably affected by clozapine. The woman experienced no adverse effects throughout the 28 months of follow-up.
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Don Williams, E., Kirkpatrick-Sanchez, S., Crocker, W.T. et al. An evaluation of clozapine combined with behavioral intervention in the treatment of aggression and tantrums in a woman with mental retardation and schizophrenia. J Dev Phys Disabil 7, 155–160 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02684960
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02684960