Characteristics of Psychotic Depression in Juveniles and Analyzing 4 Antipsychotics

Abstract

This research paper attempts to answer how psychotic depression differs in children and adults and focuses on the properties of the following four antipsychotics: Mellaril, Clozaril, Zyprexa, and Abilify to analyze which antipsychotic was most effective. This research paper analyzed differences in how children and adults react to psychotic depression by analyzing a recent study. To compare the different drugs, one or more studies were analyzed for each drug, and each drug’s properties were analyzed. After evaluating the different effects of psychotic depression, it was found that hallucinations were much more common in teenagers and children. More specifically, it was found that the most common type of hallucination was auditory. It was also found that the number of minors suffering from psychotic depression may be grossly underestimated. Clozaril was found to be very effective for patients that didn’t respond to other antipsychotics but dangerous because of its side effects. Mellaril seemed to be effective at treating schizophrenia, but had many side effects. Zyprexa seemed to be useful for weight gain for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), and Abilify seemed to be good for treating schizophrenia over a long period of time. It was concluded that children were more at risk for psychotic depression as they would not tell their guardians because of fear of backlash. It was also found that a few children believed hallucinations to be make-believe and not a disorder. Clozaril was found to be the most effective antipsychotic, while Zyprexa was the least.