Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

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Psychotic depression

Psychotic depression

mental-health psychiatric
0 medicines 13 symptoms

Some people with severe depression also develop symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusional thinking.

People with psychotic depression often cannot accept that these thoughts are caused by their condition. This can be frightening, both for them and for their loved ones.

Depression that occurs with psychosis is called psychotic depression.

Common Symptoms

sad and hopeless for most of the day like you have no interest in anything that it’s impossible to get through the day fatigue (exhaustion) losing pleasure in things inability to concentrate difficulty making decisions sleep problems appetite changes guilty worthless thoughts about suicide, or death delusions – unshakeable beliefs or thoughts that are likely to be false

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

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Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

Causes

Doctors don't yet fully understand what causes psychotic depression. What is clear is that depression itself never comes from just one cause; many different factors can trigger it.

Stressful life events such as divorce, money worries, or the loss of a loved one can bring on depression.

Severe depression can run in families, which suggests genes may play a role. However, why some people go on to develop psychosis as part of severe depression is still not known.

Many people with psychotic depression have been through a difficult time in childhood, sometimes a traumatic event, and this may also contribute.

Treatment

Treatment for psychotic depression

Treatment for psychotic depression has 3 main parts:

  • medication – taking a combination of antipsychotics and antidepressants can help
  • psychological therapies – cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help treat psychosis
  • social support – support with social needs like employment, education and accommodation

You may need intensive home treatment, with several visits a day from a healthcare professional or have to spend some time in hospital.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, or electric shock treatment) might be recommended if other treatments haven’t helped.

Although treatment for psychotic depression is usually effective, you’ll still need follow-up appointments. This is so your treatment team can continue to monitor your progress.

Getting help for someone with psychotic depression

Often friends, relatives, or carers have to seek help for a person with psychotic depression. This is because people with psychosis often don’t know they’re acting and thinking strangely.

If you’re worried someone might be experiencing psychosis you should contact their:

  • community mental health team or social worker if they have one
  • GP practice or take them to A&E

If you think the person’s symptoms are putting them at risk, you can:

  • take them to the nearest A&E, if they agree
  • phone their GP practice, or 111 if the GP practice is closed
  • in an emergency, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance

Advice and support for psychotic depression

Visit the SANE website or the Mind website for more information, support and advice about psychotic depression.

Read about psychosis

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