Posted by Christ_empowered on January 28, 2011, at 15:33:16
In reply to Aggitated Depression, posted by B2Chica on January 28, 2011, at 14:31:09
Psychotic depression is usually treated with a combination of an antipsychotic (preferably, but not necessarily, an atypical) and an antidepressant. From what I understand, the Tricyclic antidepressants are considered a bit more effective than the SSRI drugs in psychotic depression, but b/c of side effects and the potential for death following overdose, newer antidepressants are often used instead.
If you don't want to take an antipsychotic, you could try Lithium. ECT is an option, but I would think you'd want to explore drug treatment first. In resistant cases, an antidepressant+antipsychotic combo can be augmented with another drug, such as lithium or sometimes a stimulant (seems like a bad idea, but I read that some studies showed a response adding Ritalin to treatment).
I think the combo is usually continued for a year. The antidepressant is often continued for a longer period of time, perhaps indefinitely. Talk therapy is an under-used but helpful adjunct to drug treatment.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Good luck to you.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:978154
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110115/msgs/978161.html