Psychiatric and Social Aspects of Patients with Fragile X Syndrome.

Objective: The goal of the study was to describe the burden of psychosocial risks, of mental illnesses and the ways of treatment of patients with fragile X syndrome (FRX). Method: Data from a sample of 46 FRX-patients stemming from a prospective multicenter (N= 12) registry study (EXPLAIN) were analyzed with regard to psychosocial burden and treatment. Results: More than 50% of all participants reported about relatives suffering from FRX, too. The majority of participants did not finish school and was suffering from one or another kind of mental problems. Younger participants (< 18 yrs.) tended to suffer from expansive disorders. Older participants were rather burdened by internalizing symptoms and disorders. Disorders were usually treated by psychotropic drugs added by logopedic therapies and occupational therapies (more than once amonth). In our sample 90.6% of younger and more than 64.3% of older patients were still living with their parents. Conclusions: Patients with FRX often suffer from additional mental disorders and should be diagnosed and treated early.