Main description:

Psychotic depression is a distinct and acute clinical condition along the spectrum of depressive disorders. It can manifest itself in many ways and often induces very violent and suicidal behavior. This book aims to help clinical practitioners and trainees describe their observations of psychotic depression, formulate treatment, and express expectations of recovery from illness. It focuses on all facets of the disorder, from clinical history to coverage of diagnostic and treatment protocols. Medical readers of this book will come away able to diagnose and readily treat psychotic depression and thus will be able to serve their patients better. Non-physician readers will come away with the message that this is a terrible illness, but there is hope.

Contents:

1. Introduction; 2. History of psychotic depression; 3. Diagnosis in psychotic depression; 4. Patients' experience of illness; 5. Treatment in historical perspective; 6. Treatment: pitfalls and pathways; 7. Treatment: ECT, medications, and more; 8. Treatment by type of psychotic depression.