[RACEKA]

Has anyone ever had Psychotic Depression?

If so, can you tell me about it? How did you feel? What were your symptoms? How long did it last?

Any other info would be nice too.

Thanks.

[Perna]

Good article here:

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/psychotic-depression/

[nowheretorun]

hi Raceka! saw this and wanted to respond...

ive been dx'd clinically depressed... i think there was more, but, chances and fate left me without a complete dx...

as i'm discovering more, and as my situation continues to unfold, i find terms which i believe apply to the experiences i've had...

one of those terms is 'psychotic episode' ...

to that i have to add... ive been reading another members posts and finding a lot of corelation... look in the schizophrenia and psyhcosis forum for more info?

the story i have to tell is long and complicated, and confusing, both for me to express, and for others to read...

the psychotic events occured in a way that makes me think they were a deeper response to an initial depression that itself continued to deepen as time passed...

by psychotic i mean an experience beyond normal experience... an experience of proportion that it nearly falls into many sub-labels such as bi-polar, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, etc...

the duration of the episod itself for me has been short, but its effects are long lasting...

ive seen the entire experience as a journey to self discovery and self-realization... at times the experience has been frightening and traumatic.... such is life...

i would like to share more... the topic fascinates and affects me in a way that at times leaves me exhausted and meditative... breaks are necessary for me...

hope this helps somehow ... take care and wishing you well...

I was diagnosed with psychotic depression in 2002. In early 2003 I was having some pretty severe job difficulties that landed me in the hospital for mental health reasons more than once. I was working as a pharmacy tech for a retail pharmacy.

I experienced psychotic episodes for about 4-6 months. These episodes mostly revolved around a store manager I had. I was convinced the manager was out to harm me.

One episode took place in the ER. I was absolutely terrified and was certain the manager knew I was there and was somehow going to get in and come after me. I recall even seeing the manager at my bedside at one point. I also had episodes at home. I don't recall ever seeing the manager at home, but I was terrified that he was in our around my apartment building planning to harm me. The manager drove a pick-up truck and once while in the store parking lot I noticed a pitch fork in the back. After that I was convinced he was the devil.

While these episodes were happening, I was completely unaware that these were not real events. Nothing or no one was going to convince me these things were all in my head. It was very terrifying for my family. Something I have found interesting is there were a few times I did not recognize my roommate but I always knew who my 2 cats were.

I have not experienced any psychotic episodes since this. I was also in an active state of depression during this and those symptoms started first and lasted longer.

I currently am taking Seroquel (anti-psychotic), Prozac and Effexor XR (anti-depressants), and Ativan (anti-anxiety). My mental health has been very stable for about four years, and I've had no medication changes.

[nowheretorun]

just want to say real quick that i didnt have any Jack Nicholson 'The Shining' moments...

only those closest to me could tell the stress i experienced.. i was able to work and attend to normal tasks throughout...

i will admit the ride has been rocky...

ive answered a series of questions relative to my experience in schiz/psychosis forum... i'd be happy to respond further in PM... thanks, take care Raceka

[RACEKA]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm under a lot of stress, a lot of stuff is going on in my life and I'm just out of it.

I needed some ideas about how serious this is.

[nowheretorun]

Raceka.... here is a link to a blog ive come across ... hope it helps ...

http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot....zophrenic.html