subject: What Is The Difference Between Psychotic Depression And Schizophrenia? [print this page] Psychotic depression nd schizophrenia n b easily confused wth each thr, but th r nt th same. B definition, psychotic depression major depressive disorder tht presents wth hallucinations nd delusions, whl schizophrenia mental illness whrb th individual has difficulty thinking logically, identifying btwn wht's real nd wht's imagined, nd t express feelings appropriately. It' possible fr psychotic depression t turn into schizophrenia just t possible fr schizophrenia t cause psychotic depression.
Psychotic Depression v Schizophrenia: Differentiating th Symptoms
Individuals wth psychotic depression r uull agitated nd anxious wth m degree f intellectual impairment nd physical immobility. Th have sleeping problems, wll, excessive preoccupation wth thr health (hypochondriasis), hallucinations nd delusions.
Schizophrenics, n th thr hand, r hostile nd suspicious. Whn u look t thm u wll find thr gaze devoid f n expression. Social withdrawal very lkl, nd along wth t th reduced need r lack f desire t take care f n' self. Personal hygiene suffers, nd do personal nd social relationships. Individuals diagnosed wth th mental disorder r irrational, forgetful, nd defensive t criticisms. Insomnia nd depression r problems often met b schizophrenics.
Ltr Signs nd Symptoms f Schizophrenia
A schizophrenia progress, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech nd behavior become more apparent.
Delusions
It' typical f schizophrenics t b delusional. Most f thm experience one r several f th following types f delusion:
Delusions f persecution. Schizophrenics wth delusions f persecution believe tht mn ut thr t persecute hm/hr.
Delusions f grandeur. Th strange believe tht one VIP r wh possesses super powers.
Delusions f control. Schizophrenics believe tht how th think r wht th do r influenced b n outside force.
Hallucinations
Al common t schizophrenics r hallucinations. Hallucinations r signs nd sounds tht r believed t b real but whh tull exist nwhr l but n th mind f th patient.
Disorganized Speech nd Behavior
Schizophrenics have difficulty focusing. Th n shift frm topic t topic, whh whn u put thm ll together, no longer makes n sense. If u ask thm questions, th wll answer, but inappropriately. Th keep repeating words nd phrases vr nd vr again. Smtm th create thr own words tht nobody l understands.
Thr r number f factors tht n lead t psychotic depression, mng thm:
Genetics.
Neurotransmitter problems
Hormonal imbalances
Inability t cope wth stresses nd tragedies.
Personality problems.
Wth schizophrenia, th following factors r said t trigger t occurrence:
Genetics. If mn n ur immediate family has th disorder, thr's 10% chance tht u wll have t, t. If bth ur parents have bn diagnosed wth th disorder, thr's 40% chance f u developing t wll.
Neurotransmitter problems f imbalances n th brain chemicals.
Structural abnormalities n th brain.
Complications experienced during pregnancy r birth.
Substance abuse. Marijuana consumption n cause schizophrenia.
Psychotic Depression managed wth combination f antidepressants nd antipsychotic drugs (using nl antidepressants found t b nt very effective n many patients), nd electroconvulsive therapy fr patients found t have significant retardation f th psychomotor. Th u f drugs needs t b strictly monitored, thugh, whl electroconvulsive therapy has t b done n hospital facility b trained specialist.
T treat schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs wll b prescribed, but wth extreme caution considering th many side effects th come wth. Th patient wll l b advised t undergo psychosocial treatments, learn disease management skills nd coping skills t deal wth everyday stresses. If substance abuse wht triggered th disorder, integrating treatment fr substance abuse wll b employed.
