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Depressive Psychosis

Basics

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Definition

Major depression with psychotic features is a condition in which a person experiences depression along with reduced contact with reality (psychosis). This can take the form of false beliefs (delusions) or seeing or hearing something that isn't really there (hallucinations).

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Symptoms

This condition occurs when a depressed person loses touch with reality and hallucinates or has delusions. People with psychotic depression have the combined symptoms of depression and psychosis.

The content of the delusions and hallucinations can be consistent with depression. For example, some people hear voices criticizing them, telling them that they are not good enough or evil, or telling them that they don't deserve to live and should kill themselves. Psychotic depression requires immediate medical attention to prevent self-harm or harm to others.

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