Empirical approach to psychopharmacology for institutionalized individuals with severe or profound mental retardation.

There is at this time no conceptual model of psychopharmacology for individuals with severe or profound mental retardation who exhibit behavior disorders that unifies this area of psychopharmacology with general psychiatry practice while addressing the unique aspects of this population. The following article presents a 6-step program of diagnostic inquiry and treatment strategy that allows alternate etiological hypotheses to be tested in a clinical practice framework. This format unifies psychopharmacy practice in mental retardation with psychopharmacy practice in general psychiatry.