NAMIWalk - Seattle, WA
ActionDD formed a team to walk in the fundraiser for NAMI to help bring awareness to the issues that many of our family members face - being dually diagnosed with both a developmental disability and mental illness.
NADD, an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs, is an organization that I recently joined to gather more information. As you can see, this population is not a small segment of the whole DD population and really needs to be advocated for.
Mental Health Aspects of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:
"Persons with a dual diagnosis can be found at all ages and levels of intellectual and adaptive functioning. Estimates of the frequency of dual diagnosis vary widely, however, many professionals have adopted the estimate that 30-35% of all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities have a psychiatric disorder. The full range of psychopathology that exists in the general population also can co-exist in persons who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The co-existence of intellectual or developmental disabilities and a psychiatric disorder can have serious effects on the person's daily functioning by interfering with educational and vocational activities, by jeopardizing residential placements, and by disrupting family and peer relationships. In short, the presence of behavioral and emotional problems can greatly reduce the quality of life of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It is thus imperative that accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment be obtained in a timely manner."
Mental Health Aspects of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:
"Persons with a dual diagnosis can be found at all ages and levels of intellectual and adaptive functioning. Estimates of the frequency of dual diagnosis vary widely, however, many professionals have adopted the estimate that 30-35% of all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities have a psychiatric disorder. The full range of psychopathology that exists in the general population also can co-exist in persons who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The co-existence of intellectual or developmental disabilities and a psychiatric disorder can have serious effects on the person's daily functioning by interfering with educational and vocational activities, by jeopardizing residential placements, and by disrupting family and peer relationships. In short, the presence of behavioral and emotional problems can greatly reduce the quality of life of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It is thus imperative that accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment be obtained in a timely manner."
