Under what condition are psychotic features counted according to the material?

• A. During antidepressant treatment
• B. During sleep
• C. Always
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is treatment-emergent psychosis: psychotic features are counted when they appear after starting antidepressant therapy. In many assessment frameworks, psychotic symptoms that arise during antidepressant treatment are noted as treatment-emergent, because antidepressants can unmask or precipitate psychosis in some individuals. This helps distinguish symptoms caused by the medication from those that are part of the underlying illness. Psychotic features present before starting treatment are not counted as treatment-emergent, and counting them as something that happens regardless of treatment isn’t appropriate. That’s why the correct choice is during antidepressant treatment.