Schizophrenia and depression often occur together due to similar brain malfunctions. Both require separate medications and can lead to situational or clinical depression. Treatment should be sought from mental health professionals to reduce the risk of suicide. Prognosis varies based on severity and age at diagnosis.
Schizophrenia and depression are related because both conditions often occur together. This may be because the same chemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia also play a role in clinical depression, or patients may become depressed due to circumstances related to their psychosis. Both conditions will need to be treated using separate medications.
The main link between schizophrenia and depression is that they are usually caused by similar malfunctions in the brain. Chemicals normally present to regulate mood and behavior patterns are mismanaged and may be released in greater or lesser quantities in those with these conditions and other mental disorders. Although most patients with depression do not have psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, patients with psychosis often suffer from some form of depression as well.
There is a difference between situational depression and clinical depression. Those with schizophrenia and depression can suffer from both varieties. Clinical depression is the type caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, while situational depression is usually related to specific events or circumstances. Often, the struggles associated with managing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia can lead to depressive feelings such as sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, or lack of interest in activities.
Both schizophrenia and depression should be evaluated and treated by a mental health professional. Treatment of schizophrenia usually requires the use of antipsychotic medications, while depression can have a variety of treatment options depending on the underlying cause. Depression related to chemical imbalance is normally treated with medications, while situational types can be managed using therapies, counseling, and sometimes a temporary prescription drug to be used until symptoms are under control.
Those with schizophrenia and depression are at increased risk of suicide. For this reason, it is very important that patients have a network of supportive friends and family that they can turn to for help and encouragement. If loved ones are unavailable, patients should seek out doctors, therapists or social workers with mental health associations.
The prognosis for schizophrenia and depression varies based on the severity of both conditions and a person’s age at diagnosis. Those who have had both conditions for many years may have experienced more trauma and are often more difficult to treat successfully. Young adults who are able to receive appropriate treatment promptly can often lead productive lives if therapies are used as directed by a healthcare professional.
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