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What is the difference between psychotic Depression and Schizophrenia?

I am having for the first time auditory alucinations. I suffer from Psychotic Depression but I am so afraid to get Schizophrenia. What is the difference between psychotic depression and schizophrenia???

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1. hallucinations (visual and auditory) are common symptom of psychotic depression. It is common in people suffering from PD to develop a separate personality (schizophrenia) to cope with this extreme form of depression. Hallucinations are also common among people affected with schizophrenia.

Having PD doesn't mean you have or will inevitably get schizophrenia, however most people who have schizophrenia almost always have psychotic depression as well.

P.S. there are better places than YahooAnswers to get information to these serious questions. WebMD is a good place to start. : )

2. schizophrenia is a depression and illusion of the mind , it mix brain signals and make u see things schizophrenia makes u see things that arent there and make u think everyone is out for you

depression is just mental and physical weakness and often ends in * Sadness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
* Change in weight
* Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
* Energy loss
* Feelings of worthlessness
* Thoughts of death or suicide
SCHIZOPHRENIA - ENDS IN * Unusual thoughts or perceptions
* Disorders of movement
* Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion
* Problems with attention, memory and organization

3. "silkyegg..." --- Do your research...SCHIZOPHRENIA and MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER - ARE *NOT* THE SAME THING...IDIOT!

This is from a doctor. The question is asked about schizoaffective & not plain schizophrenia, but I think you you will get the differences:

this info is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions that apply directly to you or your care, ask your healthcare provider(s). This may be more than you were looking for, but here goes:

What is the difference between bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes and schizoaffective disorder?

This is somewhat of a confusing distinction...
• Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by depressive episodes with manic or mixed episodes. A person with bipolar disorder can have psychotic episodes during either a manic phase or depression phase. They key here is that the mood disorder is always present, the psychosis is not.
• In schizoaffective disorder, both symptoms of mood disorder and schizophrenia are present. The patient experiences mood swings and at least 2 psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking) simultaneously – but the psychosis is the dominant feature (the mood swings may come and go). Even if the mood episode(s) clear, psychosis is still present to some degree.

What are the different types of psychoses?
• Schizophrenia
o A person must meet 3 criteria to be schizophrenic:
? Display 2 or more of the following symptoms, each present for most of the time during a one-month period:
• Delusions (bizarre/illogical thoughts”)
• Hallucinations (ex: hearing voices)
• Disorganized speech
• Grossly disorganized behavior (ex: dressing for a snowstorm in 90 degree weather) or catatonic behavior
• Negative symptoms (decline in emotional response, decline of speech or motivation)
? The above symptoms must significantly impact the person’s ability to function (maintain relationships, work, go to school, etc.)
? There must be continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least six months. This six-month period must include at least one month of symptoms
• Shchizoaffective disorder – as described above
• Schizophreniform – related to schizophrenia, with two differences:
o The total duration of the illness is at least 1 month but less than 6 months
o Significantly impaired function is not required, though it may be present as well.
• Brief psychotic episode: A person may experience psychotic symptoms that are of sudden onset, short lived, and followed by return to baseline function. Not associated with another illness, medical condition or medication/drug
• Delusional Disorder: Person does not meet the criteria for schizophrenia (though may experience tactile/olfactory hallucinations), however, experiences delusions. Delusions are typically not bizarre (jealous delusions very common), person is usually highly-functioning.
• Shared psychotic episode: Rare! Psychotic symptoms are shared between 2 individuals such as siblings/spouses.
• Important to note that various medical conditions such as alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, lyme disease, electrolyte disturbances etc. can cause psychotic symptoms. As can many medications/drugs/alchohol.

Is it possible to be manic and depressed at the same time?
• Yes, this is referred to as a “mixed” state or episode, where symptoms of depression and mania occur simultaneously.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

EDIT: Please note that if you are ever diagnosed w/schizophrenia, do to your depression you will more than likely will receive the diagnosis of schioaffective instead -- the affective simply means that you some type of mood disorder along w/schizophrenia -

EDIT: "matt" you did a good job at giving characteristics of schizophrenia, however, you obviously have no idea what psychosis is: "People experiencing psychosis may report hallucinations or delusional beliefs, and may exhibit personality changes and disorganized thinking. This may be accompanied by unusual or bizarre behavior, as well as difficulty with social interaction and impairment in carrying out the activities of daily living." SCHIZOPHRENIA & PSYCHOSIS ARE SYNONOMUS" --"COOKIE" has written a well thought out/well organized question -I HARDLY THINK SHE IS "WHACKED"!!! That being said, from my experience w/depression I would have to agree you - depression is a battle that must eventually fought internally -- MEDS & THERAPY, though can be a great comfort blanket for those waiting to realize this!

4. haha, you have no idea.. the schizophrenics are the whacked. let me explain off my source.

According to the revised fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, three diagnostic criteria must be met

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech, which is a manifestation of formal thought disorder
Grossly disorganized behavior (e.g. dressing inappropriately, crying frequently) or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms—affective flattening (lack or decline in emotional response), alogia (lack or decline in speech), or avolition (lack or decline in motivation)

if you want a better idea about the less mild disorders
check out
schizoid
and schizotypal
these two are the less mild schizoid being close to avoidant yet not quite exact. depression hurts indeed my friend but its treatable.
but... not by medication or doctors.. by pure love and encouragement by people who actualy care about you.
less then 6 people in my life care about me, but i dont take notice, for i dont care about them either. its what they deserve.
if you want answers most therapists cannot give you,
go to a pisces who is right in his head.
i might be a little disorganized but im alright in the brain department for social skills on an online computer.
some people might be afraid of schizophrenia but it isnt that bad..
let me explain. i myself view myself as schizoid yet i dont have all of the symptoms, does it make me schizoid? or does it make me something no one has figured out alltogether? no one but yourself knows what you are going through. listen to me and go live a happy life. regardless about how crappy it might be, be ignorant about it? or just be like me and stop careing about it, just live on until you're 30 and if you really dont like it, go seek mental help. unless it gets too severe for people like others to help you.