Intractable depression or psychosis

Authors: Rubin, Nancy J.¹; Arceneaux, Janet M.²

Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Volume 104, Number 5, November 2001 , pp. 402-405(4)

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Abstract:

Objective: Some patients with treatment resistant depression may have a difficult to recognize and therefore untreated thought disorder. Even a subtle disorder may significantly impact patients' lives. This case illustrates a mechanism for identifying and treating this subgroup of patients.

Method: The treatment of a 67-year-old female with intractable depression is described.

Results: The Rorschach Exner Comprehensive System identified the presence of a thought disorder with four out of five conditions positive on the Schizophrenia Index and five out of seven conditions positive on the Depression Index. Low-dose risperidone was added to the patient's medications with excellent results. Post-testing indicated that the Schizophrenia and Depression Indices were no longer positive.

Conclusion: A subgroup of patients with intractable depression may have an underlying thought disorder that can be identified with the Rorschach and successfully treated with low-dose antipsychotic medication.

Keywords: psychotic disorders; risperidone; depression

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, College of Community Health Science, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Program, Tuscaloosa, Alabama and 2: Department of Professional Studies, College of Education, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

Publication date: 2001-11-01