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From , former About.com Guide

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Major depression with psychotic features

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Alternative Names:
Psychotic depression; Delusional depression
Symptoms:

The symptoms of psychotic depression are a combination of symptoms of depression and psychosis. This condition occurs when a depressed person loses touch with reality and hallucinates or experiences delusions.

The content of these delusions and hallucinations can be consistent with depression. For example, some people hear voices criticizing them, telling them that they are inadequate 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.

Signs and tests:

A clinical evaluation consisting of a psychiatric evaluation, a physical examination, and laboratory tests are used to make the diagnosis. Other medical conditions that can cause the same symptoms (such as reactions to certain drugs) should be ruled out.

Forms of depression
Forms of depression
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