Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects nearly 17 million adults in America. It’s frequently also referred to as clinical depression. Recurring feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other behavioral or emotional changes can characterize major depressive disorder. A number of factors may influence it. These include genetics, biology and environment, although the exact cause of MDD isn’t well understood.

What are the most common symptoms of major depressive disorder?

Major depressive disorder is a mental health condition. It’s diagnosed when a person experiences chronic poor moods and loss of interest in regular activities for at least two weeks or more. Diagnosis of MDD also typically occurs when a person experiences at least four symptoms of clinical depression. The most common symptoms of depression are as follows:

• Hopelessness
• Loss of interest in regular activities
• Unusual sleeping patterns
• Lack of energy
• Anxiousness
• Irritability or restlessness
• Unusual eating habits
• Suicidality

Do you experience four or more of these symptoms consistently? Do your symptoms last for at least two weeks? You may be dealing with clinical depression. However, you should receive a formal diagnosis from a licensed clinician. They can identify your condition and recommend the right course of treatment.

What does it mean when a person has a major depressive disorder with psychotic features?

When someone with major depressive disorder experiences psychotic features, they experience four or more of the symptoms of depression in addition to psychotic features. Psychotic features are not considered a typical symptom of depression, but when a person experiences psychotic features and depressive symptoms simultaneously, it’s categorized as a separate depressive disorder. Research estimates that almost 19% of people who have been diagnosed with MDD experience psychotic features.

Psychotic features can be characterized by the following:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Mood disturbance
• Melancholy
• High risk of suicidality

Each of these psychotic features is more likely to increase with age. Also, those who experience MDD with psychotic features are more likely to experience treatment-resistant depression. However, treatment is essential for those dealing with MDD and MDD with psychotic features. It can improve a person’s quality of life, reduce the risk of suicidality and improve functioning. 

What treatments exist for people with major depressive disorder with psychotic features?

Although some people with this type of mental health disorder might experience treatment resistance, it’s not the case for everyone. It’s important to pursue treatment so that your symptoms may improve and your emotional burden may become manageable with help. These are some of the treatments that may be most effective for someone with MDD with psychotic features:

• Inpatient programs or residential treatment — Therapy can be an effective treatment method for people with all kinds of mental health disorders, including clinical depression. While outpatient therapy may be suitable for some, inpatient programs may be best for an individual who’s been diagnosed with MDD with psychotic features. This is in part because these individuals have an increased risk of suicidality, relapse and impaired functioning. Inpatient programs can provide a higher degree of care to those who may need more attention.

• Medication — Medication is another treatment method that can be effective in many cases. It’s worth discussing with a trusted medical professional. Medication for MDD often works best when used with therapy or other mental health treatment.

Lightfully Behavioral Health can provide treatment to those who have MDD with psychotic features

Our mission at Lightfully is to provide high-quality mental health care to various types of clients through a focused approach to process-based therapy. The framework of our clinic consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. 

Lightfully offers various levels of care to both adults and teens: Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also referred to as our Day Treatment Program. We also offer a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) for adults. If you have been diagnosed with MDD or MDD with psychotic features, we encourage you to reach out to our team of compassionate professionals. We’d like to help. If you have a history of MDD-related suicidality, we believe we may be the right fit for you. Lightfully is one of the only programs to accept clients with a history of suicide attempts directly into our Residential Treatment Program. Residential treatment programs can be a gentler alternative to inpatient units and are often preferred by most clients. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.