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Psychotic Depression: Understanding What It Is

Reports show that nearly one-quarter of all people who are in the hospital for depression have psychotic depression. Psychotic depression not only has the usual symptoms that accompany depression, but the person also has hallucinations or delusions. This means a person with psychotic depression may hear or see things that are not real and/or they have fears and thoughts that are irrational. Many people who have psychotic depression are very paranoid. They may think that people are putting thoughts into their mind or that their thoughts are being heard by others.

The difference between psychotic depression and other illnesses, such as schizophrenia, where hallucinations and delusions are also symptoms is that people with psychotic depression know that what they are thinking is not actually true. Often people who suffer from psychotic depression try to hide it and this can make it quite difficult to diagnose. No one is exactly sure what makes a person have psychotic depression. It is thought that hormones may play a part, especially cortisol. It is also believed that people who have depression or psychotic illnesses in their family history may be more susceptible to psychotic depression.

Here are the some of the symptoms that generally accompany psychotic depression:

• The person may experience a high amount of anxiety.
• The person may be easily agitated.
• The person may seem like a hypochondriac.
• The person may have sleeping problems and/or insomnia.
• The person may become constipated.
• The person may become physically immobile.
• The person’s perception is impaired.
• The person may have hallucinations or delusions.
• The person may be paranoid.

A person who has psychotic depression requires a longer stay in the hospital than someone who is hospitalized for depression who does not suffer from hallucinations or delusions. Close monitoring is required to help an individual through psychotic depression. Treatment generally consists of a combination of medications. Usually a person will be given an antipsychotic medication and a tricyclic antidepressant. Individuals who have bipolar may also be given the drug lithium.

With treatment a person can recover from psychotic depression. However, it is important that the person continues to have medical follow up. It is important that the person is monitored for signs of depression so that steps can be taken before the individual finds himself or herself dealing with psychotic depression, again.

If someone you know is suffering from psychotic depression and you think that he or she is suicidal you should take it very seriously. Reports show that nearly three-fourths of individuals who commit suicide did things to let the people around them know they were feeling despair. If someone tells you that they are thinking about suicide, it is a cry for help. Suicide prevention requires that you be willing to give of yourself and to help a person immediately.

Helping someone who has suicidal thoughts is not something you can put off. It should be noted that if someone comes to you and tells you that they are contemplating suicide, you should not criticize the person. The person has come to you because he or she trusts you. If you reject them, tell they are foolish or you do not take it seriously they may never reach out for help again. Allow the person to talk to you about how they feel. Show your concern through your manner and voice. Let the person know that he or she is not alone.

You should urge professional help to someone who has psychotic depression. If the person refuses to seek help you should seek outside help and try to protect the person as much as possible from feeling that you have breached his or her privacy. However, you should remember that getting help is the most important thing you can do for someone who is suicidal.