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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dave1 on January 27, 2003, at 17:35:41
Hi,
Does anyone know how tell the difference between psychotic depression and schizoaffective disorder.
Dave
Posted by catmint on January 27, 2003, at 18:39:34
In reply to schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by Dave1 on January 27, 2003, at 17:35:41
Many believe that schizotypal personality disorder represents mild schizophrenia. The disorder is characterized by odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder often seek isolation from others. They sometimes believe to have extra sensory ability or that unrelated events relate to them in some important way. They generally engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. Their speech is often over elaborate and difficult to follow.
Psychotic depression is characterized by depressive symptoms, but also hallucinations or delusions.
Symptoms that occur more commonly in psychotically depressed patients include:Anxiety
Agitation
Hypochondria
Insomnia
Physical immobility
Constipation
Cognitive impairment
Posted by Dave1 on January 27, 2003, at 19:34:19
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by catmint on January 27, 2003, at 18:39:34
Would the fact that I had depression first indicate that it is more likely psychotic depression?
What is the prognosis for psychotic depression?
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by catmint on January 28, 2003, at 14:34:20
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by Dave1 on January 27, 2003, at 19:34:19
How is psychotic depression treated?
Treatment for psychotic depression requires a longer hospital stay and close follow-up by a mental health professional. Combinations of tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotic medications have been most effective in easing symptoms. The addition of lithium to this combination can be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder.What is the outlook for people with psychotic depression?
Treatment is very effective for psychotic depression and people are able to recover, usually within a year, but continual medical follow-up may be necessary. It is important, however, that a person experiencing these symptoms be properly diagnosed because treatment is different than for other major depressive illnesses and risk of suicide is greater.Dave, this info is from the Cleveland Clinic Health System. CCHS.net. It is of course not meant to replace the advice of your mental health provider.
Posted by xjs7 on January 28, 2003, at 18:09:02
In reply to schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by Dave1 on January 27, 2003, at 17:35:41
This is my understanding of the two conditions:
First, there are two types of psychosis: affective psychosis, and nonaffective psychosis.
With affective psychosis, the psychotic symptoms "match" the mood. For example, someone with a low mood might have delusions about being the most evil person on the planet. Or, someone with a high mood might believe he or she is God.
With nonaffective psychosis, the psychotic symptoms don't match the mood. So, someone with a normal mood might believe he or she is a religious figure of great importance. Or, someone with a normal mood might hear voices commanding him or her to commit suicide.
Usually, psychotic depression consists of affective psychosis and depression. Bipolar disorder (with psychotic features) consists of affective psychosis and mania or depression. Schizoaffective disorder consists of nonaffective psychosis and mania or depression. Schizophrenia consists of nonaffective psychosis.
Note that these are just generalizations. Someone with bipolar disorder might experience some nonaffective psychosis and someone with schizophrenia might experience affective psychosis. But the diagnoses are based on the overall clinical presentation. I think this is how most psychiatrists choose between the different diagnoses.
Remember that diagnoses are mainly just convenient ways to tell what the general symptoms of a person are. With any form of psychosis, AP meds are used, and are generally very effective. So, the exact diagnosis doesn't really matter.
xjs7
Posted by Dave1 on January 28, 2003, at 19:42:06
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression » Dave1, posted by catmint on January 28, 2003, at 14:34:20
Thanks to you and xjs, you both seem very knowledgeable and your info is very helpful. I know some guys that are experts on schizophrenia that I saw years ago. They can look at MRI scans and tell if you have schizophrenia. The only problem is they are both egotistical jerks. The guys I'm seeing now are idiots. One said if I had psychotic depression then I would be sitting in the chair babbling to myself. The other said I should try clozaril since none of the other atypicals do much. By the way my main diagnoses is OCD and depression. These psychotic things have just come up over the past several years. It is possible that I don't have psychosis, but just believe I do because of my OCD.
Thanks much,
Dave
Posted by agencypanic on January 28, 2003, at 23:46:08
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by xjs7 on January 28, 2003, at 18:09:02
Thanks for the info. on this thread. Recently I've been
wondering about some of these questions. Looking through
the DSM-IV I find myself looking at PPD or schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
etc and finding that yes, that sounds like me. Sometimes I think the book's like a horoscope
and each day you can find something that sounds just right. Maybe this should be a different
post, but can anyone explain to me the differences between PPD and paranoid schizophrenia.
Yes, I do have the manual, but some of these "If you match 2 of x of these descriptions" etc leave my
head spinning. Finally, what types of meds are used for paranoid schizophrenia? Therapies? Websites or books
you might recommend?
Thanks again and sorry if I'm off-topic.
Posted by xjs7 on January 29, 2003, at 0:58:52
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by agencypanic on January 28, 2003, at 23:46:08
Paranoid personality disorder is a condition in which someone thinks that others are "out to get" him or her. Usually the paranoia is non-bizarre, so someone with PPD would not have classic schizophrenic delusions, such as thinking that an implant in one's brain is sending the person messages. Instead, the paranoia would be limited to a vague "they are talking about me" or "they are plotting against me" type of thinking. Antipsychotic meds sometimes can reduce the paranoia, but many patients do not require them.
Paranoid schizophrenia is a severe biological brain illness in which psychosis takes the form of severe paranoia. Delusions are present and often bizarre. So, the person with paranoid schizophrenia would think that there is an alien implant in his or her brain causing the person to hear "voices." Delusions of reference are also common, in which the person might think that people on TV are talking about him or her. The person with this illness hears voices, unlike the person with PPD.
The treatment for all forms of schizophrenia is, of course, the antipsychotic meds. A good book about schizophrenia is "Surviving Schizophrenia" by E. Fuller Torrey. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn about this condition. Therapy is supposed to be of some value but I have never tried it myself.
xjs7
Posted by judy1 on January 29, 2003, at 10:40:51
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by xjs7 on January 28, 2003, at 18:09:02
Posted by agencypanic on January 29, 2003, at 11:08:50
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression » agencypanic, posted by xjs7 on January 29, 2003, at 0:58:52
> Paranoid personality disorder is a condition in which someone thinks that others are "out to get" him or her. Usually the paranoia is non-bizarre, so someone with PPD would not have classic schizophrenic delusions, such as thinking that an implant in one's brain is sending the person messages. Instead, the paranoia would be limited to a vague "they are talking about me" or "they are plotting against me" type of thinking. Antipsychotic meds sometimes can reduce the paranoia, but many patients do not require them.
>
> Paranoid schizophrenia is a severe biological brain illness in which psychosis takes the form of severe paranoia. Delusions are present and often bizarre. So, the person with paranoid schizophrenia would think that there is an alien implant in his or her brain causing the person to hear "voices." Delusions of reference are also common, in which the person might think that people on TV are talking about him or her. The person with this illness hears voices, unlike the person with PPD.
>
> The treatment for all forms of schizophrenia is, of course, the antipsychotic meds. A good book about schizophrenia is "Surviving Schizophrenia" by E. Fuller Torrey. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn about this condition. Therapy is supposed to be of some value but I have never tried it myself.
>
> xjs7Thank you for your reply and reading suggestion. I'll look for it.
Posted by Dave1 on January 30, 2003, at 0:36:29
In reply to Re: schizoaffective vs psychotic depression, posted by agencypanic on January 29, 2003, at 11:08:50
Has anyone ever tried ECT for these problems.
Dave
This is the end of the thread.
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