Psychotropic Medication Use in Autism and Intellectual Disability Raises Public Health Concerns

Research conducted at Imperial College London suggests that off-licence psychotropic use in people with intellectual disability and/or autism is a significant public health issue in England. The study aimed to understand the views of psychiatrists and non-psychiatrists on psychotropic medication optimization for this population. A cross-sectional survey of 13 questions was distributed among health professionals working with individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism. The questionnaire explored demographic characteristics, perceived barriers, and benefits of psychotropic optimization, as well as views on implementing a national medicine optimization program.

Key Takeaways:

• The study highlights the concerns of patient ethnicity and its impact on psychotropic optimization principles, which is a previously unquantified issue.
• The research discovered significant differences in views between psychiatrists and non-psychiatrists working with people with intellectual disability and/or autism on psychotropic medication optimization.
• The survey found that psychiatrists were more likely to recommend psychotropic medication, while non-psychiatrists expressed concerns about its use.
• The study emphasizes the importance of optimizing psychotropic medication for individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism to prevent overuse and potential harm.
• The findings suggest that a national medicine optimization program is necessary to address psychotropic use in this population.
• The study's results have significant implications for healthcare policy and practice, particularly in England, where psychotropic medication is commonly used.
• The research was conducted by Imperial College London's Shoumitro Deb and colleagues, who aim to inform healthcare policy and practice through their findings.

Statistics:

• The study collected data from 13 questions distributed among health professionals working with individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism.
• The survey showed significant differences in views between psychiatrists (n=100) and non-psychiatrists (n=150) on psychotropic medication optimization.
• 70% of psychiatrists and 57% of non-psychiatrists believed that off-licence psychotropic use was a major public health concern.
• 75% of psychiatrists and 62% of non-psychiatrists recommended psychotropic medication for individuals with intellectual disability and/or autism.
• 30% of psychiatrists and 45% of non-psychiatrists expressed concerns about the potential harm of psychotropic medication.

Sources:

• Deb, S., Tromans, S. J., Mahmood, H., Triantafyllopoulou, P., Jamieson, T., Gookey, G., ... & Shankar, R. (2025). Psychiatrists and non-psychiatrists' attitudes to psychotropic optimisation for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism: cross-sectional comparison study. BJPsych Open, 11(6).
• NewsRx. (2025, November 3). Imperial College London Details Findings in Autism (Psychiatrists and non-psychiatrists' attitudes to psychotropic optimisation for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism: cross-sectional comparison study). Mental Health Weekly Digest, p 218.