Yes. Studies indicate that up to two-thirds of children and adults with an intellectual disability have another psychiatric disorder. The more severe the intellectual disability, the higher the risk for coexisting psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders, schizophrenia, ADHD, and conduct disorder. Children diagnosed with severe intellectual disability have a particularly high rate of autism spectrum disorder, and approximately 2 to 3 percent meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.
Up to 50 percent of children and adults with intellectual disabilities meet the criteria for a mood disorder such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder.
A negative self-image and poor self-esteem are common features of mildly and moderately intellectually disabled persons who are aware of their social and academic differences from others. The perpetual sense of isolation and inadequacy has been linked to feelings of anxiety, anger, dysphoria, and depression.