Some people who have severe clinical depression will also experience hallucinations and delusional thinking, the symptoms of psychosis. Depression with psychosis is known as psychotic depression. Someone with
severe clinical depression feels sad and hopeless for most of the day, practically every day, and has no interest in anything. Getting through the day feels almost impossible. Other typical symptoms of severe depression are: Read more about the psychological, physical and social symptoms
of clinical depression Having moments of psychosis (psychotic episodes) means experiencing: The delusions and hallucinations almost always reflect the person's deeply depressed mood – for example, they may become convinced they're to blame for something, or that they've committed a crime. "Psychomotor agitation" is also common. This means not being able to relax or sit still, and constantly fidgeting. At the other extreme, a person with psychotic depression may have "psychomotor retardation", where both their thoughts and physical movements slow down. People with psychotic depression have an increased risk of thinking about suicide.Symptoms of severe depression
Symptoms of psychosis
What causes psychotic depression?
The cause of psychotic depression is not fully understood. It's known that there's no single cause of depression and it has many different triggers.
For some, stressful life events such as bereavement, divorce, serious illness or financial worries can be the cause.
Genes probably play a part, as severe depression can run in families, although it's not known why some people also develop psychosis.
Many people with psychotic depression will have experienced adversity in childhood, such as a traumatic event.
Read more about the causes of clinical depression
Treating psychotic depression
Treatment for psychotic depression involves:
- medicine – a combination of antipsychotics and antidepressants can help relieve the symptoms of psychosis
- psychological therapies – the 1-to-1 talking therapy cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has proved effective in helping some people with psychosis
- social support – support with social needs, such as education, employment or accommodation
The person may need to stay in hospital for a short period of time while they're receiving treatment.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may sometimes be recommended if the person has severe depression and other treatments, including antidepressants, have not worked.
Treatment is usually effective, but follow-up appointments so that the person can be closely monitored are usually required.
Getting help for others
People with psychosis are often unaware that they're thinking and acting strangely.
As a result of this lack of insight, it's often down to the person's friends, relatives or carers to seek help for them.
If you're concerned about someone and think they may have psychosis, you could contact their social worker or community mental health nurse if they've previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Contact the person's GP if this is the first time they've shown symptoms of psychosis.
If you think the person's symptoms are placing them or others at possible risk of harm you can:
- take them to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department, if they agree
- call a GP or local out-of-hours GP
- call 999 to ask for an ambulance
Further information
The following websites provide further information and support:
- SANE
- Mind: psychotic experiences
Driving
If you've been diagnosed with psychotic depression, it's your legal obligation to tell the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It could affect your ability to drive.
Visit GOV.UK for more information about medical conditions, disabilities and driving
Psychotic depression is a subtype of major depression that occurs when a severe depressive illness includes some form of psychosis. The psychosis
could be hallucinations (such as hearing a voice telling you that you are no good or worthless), delusions (such as, intense feelings of worthlessness, failure, or having committed a sin) or some other break with reality. Psychotic depression affects roughly
one out of every four people admitted to the hospital for 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 that others can hear their thoughts or are trying to harm them. Or they might think they are possessed by the devil or are wanted by the police for having committed a crime that they really did not commit. People with psychotic depression may get angry for no apparent reason. Or they may spend a lot
of time by themselves or in bed, sleeping during the day and staying awake at night. A person with psychotic depression may neglect appearance by not bathing or changing clothes. Or that person may be 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 (such as worthlessness or failure), whereas psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia are more often bizarre or implausible and have no obvious connection to a mood state (for example, thinking strangers are following them for no reason other
than to harass them). 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. But diagnosis is important. Its treatment is different than for nonpsychotic depression. Also, having one episode of psychotic depression increases the chance of bipolar disorder with recurring episodes of psychotic
depression, mania, and even suicide.How Is Psychotic Depression Different From Major or Clinical Nonpsychotic Depression?
Common symptoms for patients who have psychotic depression include: Usually,
treatment for psychotic depression is given in a hospital setting. That way, the patient has close monitoring by mental health professionals. Different medications are used to stabilize the person's mood, typically including combinations of antidepressants and antipsychotic
medications. Antipsychotic drugs affect neurotransmitters that allow communication between nerve cells in areas of the brain that regulate our ability to perceive and organize information about the world around us. There are a number of antipsychotic, or neuroleptic, medications
commonly used today. These include aripiprazole (Abilify), asenapine (Saphris), cariprazine (Vraylar), olanzapine
(Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and
risperidone (Risperdal). Each drug has unique side effects and may differ in its clinical efficacy profile. Usually, though, these drugs are better tolerated than earlier antipsychotics. Treatment for psychotic depression is very effective. People are able to recover, usually within several months. But continual medical follow-up may be necessary. If the medications do not work to end the psychosis and depression, sometimes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used. It's important for the patient to work with the doctor to find the most effective drugs with the least side effects. Because psychotic depression is quite serious, the risk of suicide is
also great.What Are the Symptoms of Psychotic Depression?
How Is Psychotic Depression Treated?
Does Treatment for Psychotic
Depression Always Work?