Aggression in Patient with Learning Disability

Author: Phyllida Roe / Editor: Sarah Edwards / Codes: IP1, MHP1, MHP5, SLO1, SLO7 / Published: 03/09/2024

John is 29 years of age. He has been brought into the Emergency Department (ED) by his father because, over the last 24 hours, he has become increasingly aggressive.

John has a diagnosis of moderate learning disability, and non-organic psychosis, and is well known to Mental Health Services. 

He and his father have been taken to a side room, because John is restless and his behaviour has been intimidating to other patients in the waiting room.

He refuses to make eye contact with you or answer any questions, just shouting meaningless sounds. His father tells you that he lives in the family home, that they ensure he takes his medication regularly, and that John is usually calm and content. He can speak and perform simple tasks, and can look after his own personal hygiene with some encouragement.

Yesterday evening, he seemed subdued. As far as his father knows, John slept well. However, this morning he seemed angry and at lunchtime threw his plate of food at his mother when she put it in front of him.

Medication: Risperidone 2 mg OD, which he refused today.