Psychotic depression is a condition in which a person experiences severe depression along with a form or kind of psychosis. This psychosis may include delusions, hallucinations or some form of disassociation with reality. This condition is observed in around one out of four people having depression. The hallucinations include hearing or seeing nonexistent things or delusions which include irrational fears and thoughts.

People with other conditions like schizophrenia also tend to have delusions or hallucinations. But those suffering from psychotic depression are aware that they thoughts are not true while those suffering from schizophrenia tend to believe them. These individuals may feel ashamed or embarrassed with the symptoms therefore try to hide these symptoms. This makes diagnosis of this condition difficult.

The symptoms associated with psychotic depression include agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hypochondria and physical immobility. Those suffering from this condition may also experience constipation, psychosis and intellectual impairment. The treatment for this condition often requires the patient to stay in the hospital and close and consistent follow up by mental health professionals is also needed.

A combination of antipsychotic medication along with antidepressants is needed to provide relief from the symptoms associated with psychotic depression. In some cases electroconvulsive therapy may also be used. The treatment in psychotic depression can be effective and the patients are able to experience complete recovery in a year. However consistent follow up is needed. The risk of suicide in this form of depression is high and so proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition is crucial.

Timely diagnosis and treatment is crucial as those suffering from psychotic depression may hear voices or the patients may have illogical and strange ideas. Such people may have ideas that others are attempting to harm them or they can hear thoughts. Some might think they are incredibly famous or important. Those with this condition may get angry without any reason or may spend a great deal of time in bed. These individuals may not change their clothes or others may find it difficult to talk to these individuals.

Antipsychotic medicines are important and effective as they affect the neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are responsible for allowing communication among nerve cells. The medicines prescribed for this condition may include ziprasidone, quetiapine, risperidone and olanzapine. These medicines are tolerated well as compared to the antipsychotics that used to be prescribed earlier. However many of these medicines have side effects.