Psychotic depression

Profound slowing, poverty of speech, guilt, nihilism, early waking, food refusal

EmergentReview due

At a glance

Watch forVery high suicide riskcatatonia overlapsevere dehydration/weight loss

Motor syndrome with characteristic catatonic signs. Not simply very depressed or non-engaging.

Separates the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group. It is not specific to Psychotic depression.

Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group — not specific to Psychotic depression

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group — not specific to Psychotic depression

Profound slowing, poverty of speech, guilt, nihilism, early waking, food refusal

Key features

Very high suicide risk, catatonia overlap, severe dehydration/weight loss.

High-risk causes3 causes

Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group.

Motor syndrome with characteristic catatonic signs. Not simply very depressed or non-engaging.

Helpful clues

Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group.

The medication chart is often the shortest route to the diagnosis Quiet delirium is commonly missed and often medically dangerous

Priority steps2 steps

Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group.

None listed

Core tests

Applies to the Psychomotor Retardation / Mutism / Severe Withdrawal group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.