Mood Congruent Delusions in Major Depressive Disorder

According to a study published in the journal Psychopathology, delusions are a common feature of major depressive disorder. Delusions are said to be congruent when they are consistent with the mood or disorder of the person experiencing them.

Definition

• Major depressive disorder, which is sometimes referred to as major depression, is a type of depression that interferes with a person's normal habits and functioning. Symptoms may include sad, hopeless moods, feelings of guilt, irritability, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, chronic pain, and a preoccupation with death.

Delusions

• Delusions, which may be present in mental disorders such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are false beliefs maintained in spite of evidence that they are untrue. A mood-congruent delusion for a person with depression is one with depressive themes, such as feelings of hopelessness or guilt.

Features

• A major depressive episode may be classified as "with psychotic features" if it involves hallucinations or delusions. For example, a person with major depression may have the mood-congruent delusion that he or she has committed a terrible crime and deserves punishment.

Treatment

• According to research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the antidepressant imipramine may be an effective early treatment for major depression with mood-congruent psychosis.

Considerations

• According to a study published in Psychopathology, patients may conceal delusions out of fear of reproach, or they may be unable to recognize that they are delusional because of cognitive impairment or agitation. People who suffer from depression with psychotic features are at high risk for self-harm or harm to others, and should receive medical attention as soon as possible.