Treatment with propranolol of severe self-injurious behavior in a blind, deaf, retarded adolescent.
Self-injurious behavior represents a significant barrier to behavioral interventions with retarded children. The etiology of this behavior is hypothesized as secondary to a state of overarousal. beta blockers are believed to be uniquely useful medications in having an effect on self-injurious behaviors through their ability to reduce arousal in the face of stimulation and demands. The case presented describes a multiply handicapped adolescent with severe self-injury who responded to 300 mg of propranolol with a gradual but steady reduction in self-injury over 12 months. Concurrent with this was the emergence of increased interactions and benefit from behavioral interventions.
Lang
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Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132.
Remington
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D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001766:Blindness / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013881:Thioridazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011433:Propranolol; D013881:Thioridazine