Changes in the rate of problem behavior associated with the discontinuation of the antipsychotic medication quetiapine

Using analogue functional analysis, we monitored changes in the rates of aggression and self-injury in a 50-year-old female diagnosed with severe intellectual disability and mood disorder. Functional analyses were conducted while the individual was treated with quetiapine (Seroquel) and citalopram (Celexa) and after the quetiapine was discontinued. Discontinuation of quetiapine resulted in differential responding patterns for aggression and self-injury. This case study provides support for functional assessment of problem behaviors during medication changes to determine if psychotropic medications are associated with subsequent changes in behavior.