How Is Psychotic Depression Different Than Other Mental Illness?
While people with other mental illness, like schizophrenia , also experience these symptoms, those with psychotic depression are usually aware that these thoughts aren’t true. They may be ashamed or embarrassed and try to hide them, sometimes making this type of depression difficult to diagnose. Having an episode of psychotic depression increases your risk of bipolar depression, recurring episodes of psychotic depression, and suicide. What Are the Symptoms of Psychotic Depression? Symptoms that occur commonly in psychotically depressed patients include: • Anxiety • Agitation • Hypochondria • Insomnia • Physical immobility • Constipation • Intellectual impairment • Psychosis How Is Psychotic Depression Treated? Treatment for psychotic depression requires a longer hospital stay and close follow-up by a mental health professional. Combinations of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications have been most effective in easing symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be used to t
