Psychotic Depression is a major depressive episode that is accompanied by psychotic symptoms. It is also known as depressive psychosis. Psychotic depression is a complex illness. It can be a very frightening condition to live with. The hallucinations and delusions that people experience can be very upsetting and it may lead them to feel suicidal. Here in this article we will talk about how is psychotic depression different from major or clinical nonpsychotic depression, its symptoms, its causes and its treatment. 

How is psychotic depression different from major or clinical nonpsychotic depression? :  

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a person who is psychotic is out of touch with reality. People with psychosis may hear “voices.” Or, they may have strange and illogical ideas. For example, they may think people around them can hear their thoughts and trying to harm them.

  People with psychotic depression may get angry for no apparent reason or they may spend a lot of time by themselves or in bed. People who have psychotic depression are very hard to talk to. Perhaps they barely talk or else says things that make no sense. 

People with other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia also experience psychosis. But those with psychotic depression usually have delusions or hallucinations that are consistent with themes about depression. People with psychotic depression also may be humiliated or ashamed of the thoughts and try to hide them. Doing so makes this type of depression very difficult to diagnose.

Symptoms: 

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real) 

• Delusions (believing things that aren’t real) 

• Disordered or disorganized thinking

• Paranoia 

• Feeling of sadness and  hopelessness 

• Getting angry over small matters 

• Anxiety and agitation 

• Neglecting your appearance and personal hygiene

• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy 

What are the causes of Psychotic Depression?: 

• Stressful Life Events: Going through something stressful or traumatic such as bereavement, losing job, divorce. 

• Abuse: Experiencing abuse or neglectful. Especially if this happened when the person was a child and can increase the person’s susceptibility to developing mental health problems in later life. 

• Personality: Certain personality traits such as being a perfectionist or having low self-esteem. 

• Gender: Women are more likely than men to struggle with psychotic depression. The reasons for this are complex but one of the contributing factors is thought to be hormonal changes that women go through in their life which may make them more susceptible to depressive episodes. 

• Genetic: Having a close family member who struggles with psychotic depression can make one more vulnerable to suffering with it. 

• Mental Health: If a person already suffer with a mental health condition or have done in the past this can increase the person’s chances of developing psychotic depression. 

Psychotic Depression Treatment: 

Psychotic depression can be difficult to cope with but effective treatment is available.  One of the widely used technique is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), which has been found to be effective in treating psychotic depression. CBT aims to challenge any negative and destructive beliefs that a person hold by themselves. Each type of therapy can be delivered in the following format: 

1. 1:1 therapy 

2. Group therapy  

3. Family therapy 

A combination of antipsychotics and antidepressants can help relieve the symptoms of psychosis. Supporting them with social needs such as education and employment or accommodation. The person may need to stay in the hospital for a short period of time while they are receiving treatment. Thus, we should not ignore those who are struggling with psychotic depression. We should spread awareness and be supportive so they can get proper treatment.  

References: 

• https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/psychotic-depression/ 

• Dr. William Shanahan, Medical director (private) and clinical director of Addictions of Priory Hospital Roehampton. https://www.priorygroup.com/mentalhealth/depression-treatment/psychoticdepression#:~:text=Stressful%20life%20events%20%E2%80%93%20going%20thro ugh,you'll%20develop%20psychotic%20depression 

• Psychotic Depression written by Debra Fulghum Bruce, phD | Medically reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on August 24, 2024. 

https://www.webmd.com/depression/psychotic-depression