%0 Journal Article
%T Psychiatric care for people with Prader-Willi syndrome-characteristics, needs and barriers.
%A Wieting J
%A Herrmann T
%A Deest-Gaubatz S
%A Eberlein CK
%A Bleich S
%A Frieling H
%A Deest M
%J J Appl Res Intellect Disabil
%V 37
%N 4
%D 2024 Jul
%M 38863266
%F 2.162
%R 10.1111/jar.13266
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is commonly associated with intellectual disability, but also with a specific behavioural phenotype and a high predisposition to psychiatric comorbidity. This study examines the psychiatric care situation of people with PWS.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A structured online questionnaire was administered to carers of people with PWS living in Germany, asking about demographic, diagnostic and treatment parameters as well as personal experiences.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of 77 people with PWS, 44.2% had at least one psychiatric comorbid diagnosis. The main reasons for seeking psychiatric care were emotional outbursts and aggressive behaviour. 34.9% reported that they were currently seeking psychiatric care without success. However, 32.5% of PWS had been treated with psychotropic medication, mainly antipsychotics.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Psychiatric comorbidity appears to be undertreated in PWS, especially in the ambulatory setting. Uncertainty among mental health care providers may also lead to frequent off-label use of psychotropic medications.