Question

A Patient with depressive symptoms for 6 months and associated with auditory hallucinations for 2 weeks. What is the probable diagnosis of the condition ?

• A. Psychotic depression
• B. Schizoaffective disorder
• C. Mania depressive illness
• D. Schizophrenia

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine the probable diagnosis for the patient, let's examine the symptoms and timeline presented in the question. The patient has had depressive symptoms for 6 months and has developed auditory hallucinations for 2 weeks.

• The extended duration of depressive symptoms suggests a significant mood disorder, often indicative of Major Depressive Disorder.
• The recent onset of auditory hallucinations (lasting 2 weeks) indicates a psychotic feature superimposed on the depressive episode.

Considering the options:

• Psychotic depression: This condition occurs when depressive episodes are accompanied by psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions, consistent with the patient's symptoms.
• Schizoaffective disorder: This requires concurrent mood disorders and schizophrenia symptoms with psychotic symptoms present even without mood disturbances, which is not fully consistent with the patient's case since the psychotic symptoms are recent and mood-related.
• Mania depressive illness: This typically refers to Bipolar Disorder with alternating episodes of mania and depression, which does not align with the described symptoms.
• Schizophrenia: Characterized by persistent psychotic symptoms independent of mood states, which doesn't fit here as the hallucinations are recent and mood-related.

Given the combination of long-term depression with new psychotic symptoms, the most accurate diagnosis is psychotic depression.