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Intractable depression or psychosis
Author(s) -
Rubin Nancy J.,
Arceneaux Janet M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2001.00265.x
Subject(s) - rorschach test , depression (economics) , risperidone , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychotic depression , psychiatry , psychosis , psychology , clinical psychology , economics , macroeconomics
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.