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Can Depression Lead To A State Of Stupor?
Question: I was diagnosed with a number of mental health illnesses/diagnosis about 10 years ago now. major depressive disorder/borderline personality disorder/dependent personality disorder/emotionally unstable personality and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Generally when I am in a depressive lockdown/episode I am unable to move and verbally communicate. My first question is; Is this normal for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder?
My second question is: Some mornings when the carers come into my flat to wake me up and get me up; they have difficulty waking me. Sometimes I am asleep. Sometimes I look like I am asleep because my eyes are shut; however I have difficulty opening them then I have difficulty verbally communicating with the carers. Is this part of major depressive disorder or could it be something else?
My second question is: Some mornings when the carers come into my flat to wake me up and get me up; they have difficulty waking me. Sometimes I am asleep. Sometimes I look like I am asleep because my eyes are shut; however I have difficulty opening them then I have difficulty verbally communicating with the carers. Is this part of major depressive disorder or could it be something else?
Brief Answer:
Yes depression can result in stupor like stage
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Coming straight to your doubts-
- Yes Major Depressive Episodes are found in a lot of individuals. Depression is categorised in three main categories; mild, moderate and major. Most of patients of major depressive episode show changes in personality over time. Repeated setbacks in life result in emotional traumas and thus individuals start showing symptoms of borderline personalities. In more than 50% patients of depression, generalised anxiety disorders are found as co-morbid illnesses. So these symptoms like unable to move, depressive lockdown are normally seen in depressive patients especially in severe depression. Depressive stupor results in such symptoms.
- Chronic drug therapy and depressive illness itself result in similar symptoms. Stupor like stage occurs in which individuals appears to be in sleep but there occur difficulty in awakening. These are commonly seen in major depression. There is nothing else. Though rare possibility is drug induced side effects especially if you are on antipsychotics. First generation antipsychotics might cause such presentation in high doses.
In such symptoms some times drugs like Modafinil or Armodafinil are commonly used. Some times stimulants like Amphetamines also help. You should ask your doctor regarding prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Yes depression can result in stupor like stage
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Coming straight to your doubts-
- Yes Major Depressive Episodes are found in a lot of individuals. Depression is categorised in three main categories; mild, moderate and major. Most of patients of major depressive episode show changes in personality over time. Repeated setbacks in life result in emotional traumas and thus individuals start showing symptoms of borderline personalities. In more than 50% patients of depression, generalised anxiety disorders are found as co-morbid illnesses. So these symptoms like unable to move, depressive lockdown are normally seen in depressive patients especially in severe depression. Depressive stupor results in such symptoms.
- Chronic drug therapy and depressive illness itself result in similar symptoms. Stupor like stage occurs in which individuals appears to be in sleep but there occur difficulty in awakening. These are commonly seen in major depression. There is nothing else. Though rare possibility is drug induced side effects especially if you are on antipsychotics. First generation antipsychotics might cause such presentation in high doses.
In such symptoms some times drugs like Modafinil or Armodafinil are commonly used. Some times stimulants like Amphetamines also help. You should ask your doctor regarding prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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