Psychotic Depression and Anxiety

Human mind is the most wonderful creation of God and any problems pertaining to it shouldn't be neglected. The seriousness of psychotic depression can be seen from the fact that around 20% of people experience a depressive illness at some time in their lives, and about 6% experience a more severe form of the illness. The causes and possible treatments for psychotic depression and anxiety are as follows.

Causes and Symptoms of Psychotic Depression and Anxiety

The common causes of psychotic depression include heredity factors, side effects of certain drugs and abnormal thyroid function. Besides these, human immunodeficiency virus is also considered as a risk factor for the same. A person suffering from psychotic depression shows signs of restlessness, agitation, disorganized speech, constipation and insomnia. He might exhibit extreme anxiety, mental stress and the inability to respond to stressful situations. One of the major symptoms of psychotic depression is hallucinations, which means seeing or hearing things that aren't really there. Hallucinations are also common amongst patients of schizophrenia, and often causes confusion between the two different disorders. But unlike the patients of schizophrenia, the person suffering from psychotic depression, generally knows and understands that he is hallucinating. Sometimes, he may come up with strange and illogical ideas and might say that someone is trying to harm him, or that others can hear his thoughts.

Limited anxiety can be considered as a positive factor as long as it provides a normal reaction to stress. But when anxiety becomes excessive, it may be potentially dangerous, and may lead to suicide or violent behavior towards others. Although the exact causes of psychotic anxiety are not known, the genetic history of patient, his brain chemistry and environmental factors can be some potential anxiety symptoms. Traumas like death of a loved one, divorce, or tragedy with a close friend, may lead to psychotic anxiety. Other symptoms exhibited are generally, excessive sweating, nausea, trembling, tiredness, irritability and an unrealistic view of problems.

Treatments for Psychotic Depression and Anxiety

For the treatment of psychotic depression, two schemes are used. First one is the effective use of medication, which includes antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, combined together. This combination should be monitored carefully by the physician in order to avoid side effects. However, the balance between risks and benefits suggests that in the initial stage, antidepressant monotherapy should be the preferred option for patients undergoing treatment. The second way is the use of Electroconvulsive therapy, and is exclusively administered in hospitals. This requires the patients to remain hospitalized, and consists of a general anaesthetic given twice, or thrice a week. This type of treatment is effective for patients who have marked psychomotor retardation.

Before the treatment for psychotic anxiety starts, other coexisting factors, if any, should be brought under control. These factors may include alcoholism, depression, etc. which may have a strong effect on the person under treatment. In the initial stage, a person is diagnosed to find out whether the symptoms are because of anxiety, or some other physical factor. After that, medication and psychotherapy are provided to the patient, based on the problems he is facing. Medication is generally to keep the anxiety disorders under control while the anxiety treatment is given. Prescribed by the physicians, usually psychiatrists, the principal medication includes antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta-blockers to control some of the physical symptoms. Psychotherapy is a way to understand the psyche behind the patient's behavior, with the help of a talking sessions with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor. This helps in discovering what caused the anxiety disorder and how the symptoms can be dealt with, and how can self confidence be regained. Suppose a person is phobic of dirt germs, he is made to begrime his hands, and wait for sometime before washing them. It helps in abetting the patient to get rid of his phobia. The patient can also be given sessions on stress relief.

The treatments should always be followed under the supervision of a physician. Neglecting the symptoms can sometimes be fatal, if the problem persists for a long time. One should always remember that not only a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, but also a healthy body is an outcome of stress-free mind.