Introduction
Psychotic depression is a severe depressive disorder that includes psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, or a break from reality. Individuals experiencing psychosis may hear voices, have irrational beliefs, or perceive things that are not real.
Overview and Facts
Psychotic depression is a serious condition that affects about one in four people admitted to hospitals for severe depression. It is crucial to diagnose and treat psychotic depression early, as it significantly increases the risk of bipolar disorder, recurring psychotic episodes, mania, and suicide.
Symptoms
People with psychotic depression may experience:
Agitation
Anxiety
Constipation
Hypochondria (excessive worry about health)
Insomnia
Intellectual impairment
Physical immobility
Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, or distorted thoughts)
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of psychotic depression is unknown, but family history plays a major role. Key risk factors include:
Genetics – More common in individuals with a family history of psychotic depression
Multiple depressive episodes – Psychotic symptoms often appear after repeated episodes of non-psychotic depression
Chronic or untreated depression – Can increase the likelihood of developing psychosis
Once an individual has experienced psychotic symptoms, they are more likely to have them again in future depressive episodes.
Tests and Diagnosis
A mental health professional is required to diagnose psychotic depression. The evaluation process includes:
Comprehensive mental health assessment
Physical examination to rule out medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms
Laboratory tests to check for other possible causes of psychosis
Treatment
Psychotic depression is typically treated in a hospital setting to ensure close monitoring. Treatment options include:
Medication: A combination of antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs is commonly prescribed to stabilize mood and reduce psychotic symptoms.
Hospitalization: Necessary for severe cases to provide immediate intervention and prevent self-harm.
Long-term follow-up: Although recovery is possible within a year, continuous medical care is often required to prevent relapse.
Conclusion
Psychotic depression is a serious but treatable condition. With proper medical care, most individuals fully recover, though ongoing treatment and monitoring may be necessary to prevent future episodes.
Sources and links
Obtained from www.webmd.com and edited by IDRAAC.