Fears that antipsychotic drugs being used as 'chemical cosh' in disability care

Unexpectedly large numbers of people with learning disabilities treated with drugs normally reserved for those with severe mental illiness, study finds

Unexpectedly large numbers of people with learning disabilities are being prescribed strong psychiatric drugs, possibly as a "chemical cosh" to quieten those with challenging behaviour, according to new research.

A study published online by The British Medical Journal found that the number of people registered with GP practices with an intellectual or learning disability, who are being treated with psychotropic drugs far exceeds those with mental illness.