Citation

Lang C, Remington D. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 1994; 33(2): 265-269.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/00004583-199402000-00016

PMID

8150799

Abstract

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.

Language: en