Psychotic depression
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Psychotic depression is one of the most severe forms of the general depressive diseases in which the person experiences moments of delusional or paranoid being. During such an episode, synesthesia may occur, including audio-visual hallucinations and erratic behavior. Psychotic depression is a chronic, cyclic condition. In general, the patient may have unremarkable general depressive episodes marked by moments of extreme psychosis. Suicide is most prevalent in patients affected by psychotic episodes. Increased stress and substance abuse can initiate a psychotic episode. The nature of this condition is like the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
Common symptoms include:
- Not wanting to talk
- Agitation
- Psychomotor disturbances
- Feelings of pathological guilt
- Suicidal thoughts
- Suicide attempts
- Audio and/or visual hallucinations
- Aggression
- Frustration
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Lying about feelings
- Avoiding the problem
Psychotic depression is conceptualised as a physical condition and thus responds to physical treatments. Treatment is usually with antipsychotic medication in combination with an antidepressant medication, or a course of electroconvulsive therapy.
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