This page abstract: How is psychotic depression treated? Is the treatment of psychotic depression different than that of other forms of depression?

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Treatment of Psychotic Depression

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Written by: Petros Skapinakis, MD, MPH, PhD, lecturer of Psychiatry in the University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece. Eva Gerasi, postgraduate student in the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece.

First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest revision: 30 Jul 2008.

How is psychotic depression treated? Is the treatment of psychotic depression different than that of other forms of depression?

Answer:

Psychotic depression is the most severe form of depression and patients that suffer from it respond poorly to antidepressants alone. Two treatments are effective: combined use of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, and electroconvulsive therapy.

However, combining some of the newer antidepressants (especially selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) with antipsychotics can raise the concentrations of both the drugs, so monitoring is required.

Electroconvulsive therapy is exclusively done inside hospitals, causing most patients to remain as inpatients while it lasts. It is effective only for the depressed patients who either are deluded or have marked psychomotor retardation. For the patients it consists of a general anaesthetic twice a week for two or three weeks and they experience a mild confusion for an hour or so after each session.

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Complementary therapy How to help a depressed person When to ask for professional help Helping yourself through depression Treatment for depression Learning to think constructively Do something about your problems Fun things to do instead of feeling sad Positive areas of your life More articles about depression More articles about the treatment of depression

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Disclaimer: The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified psychiatrist or psychotherapist. It can not and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. If you find anything wrong, please notify us at .

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