What is the difference between schizophrenia and severe depression with psychotic features?

It appears to me that the two diagnoses are very similar..could it be that severe depression with psychotic episodes is a more conservative diagnisis than schizophrenia? Maybe the first step of diagnosis for schizophrenia? Insight please, and try to explain your answers as in depth as possible.

Depression is not part of the diagnositic criteria for schizophrenia, although many schizophrenics do have depression. You might find this description helpfull:

http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disord...

i think depression is very severe one way tocope with it is to choice your love one's and believe in yourself.

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I think so I have schizophrenia and they first thought of depression then Autsim. I think the voices and seeing things divides it p though. Also schizophrenia takes Antipsychotics depression takes Antidepreesants. Hope this helps!
Me and Psychology!
Okay, I will try to answer this as completely as possible. Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features is characterized by being severely depressed for a period of longer than 2 weeks in duration, or having more than 5 of the listed criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Criteria include daily depressed mood, change in appetite, change in sleep, change in energy level, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, guilt, thoughts of death or suicide, not caused by bereavement or substances. Food cravings, tearful, loss of interest or libido, difficulties functioning at work or school. Psychotic features can be present, but only when severely depressed, not continually, at all times.

Schizophrenia is characterized by having at least 2 of the following: Delusions, hallucinations (voices, seeing things that are not there), disorganized speech patterns, disorganized behaviors, negativity, or blunting of mood. Must also have difficulty in social and/or occupational situations that were not present before. Symptoms must last for 6 months and not be substance related or because of autism.

Having hallucinations, seeing things or hearing voices alone could be characteristic of other problems, some medical, some mental health.

Severe depression with psychotic features does not mean that someone will develop shizophrenia either. It could just be severe depression. You need to find a good therapist and psychiatrist. Medications for depression will help, if that is the diagnosis. Medications for schizophrenia will help if that is the diagnosis. Remember, that if you begin taking medication to control schizophrenia and stop, the symptoms could return at a much greater level.

I hope that this helps you.