Psychotic depressive disorder
Psychotic Depressive Disorder
Psychotic depression is a type of major depressive disorder with psychotic features (psychosis). It occurs when a person experiences depression with features of psychosis, a combination of the symptoms of depression and psychosis.
Symptoms Of Psychotic Depressive Disorder:
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Loss of pleasure in usual activities
- Decreased energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Decreased ability to concentrate
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized thinking and behavior
Medical professionals consider psychotic depression to be a serious mental health condition that requires medical or psychiatric treatment. However, many people don’t receive treatment because psychoses are often difficult to diagnose.
Treatment:
Treatments for psychotic depression typically involve psychotherapy and medications. It is important to stay with the treatment plan and not miss any appointments. Treatment plans are individualized to meet the needs of each person. The most common treatments for psychotic depression are psychotherapy (talk therapy), antipsychotic medications, and antidepressant medications.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, which may also be referred to as talk therapy or counseling, is intended to help people with psychotic depression understand their illness and learn ways to cope with it. Therapy may also help individuals with psychotic depression learn ways to manage their symptoms.
Medication: Antipsychotic medications may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions. Antidepressants are also prescribed to help reduce the symptoms of depression. If the person is at risk of harming themselves or others, they may be prescribed medications to help manage aggressive behaviors.
If you think you may have psychotic depression, it is important to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional right away. With proper treatment, it is possible to manage and learn to cope with the symptoms of psychotic depression.