My sis is taking risperidone for 1st time psychosis. now severely depressed. could risperdn cause deprsn? now taking cypralex 1 wk. will this help? taking 8 days now. despair! no desire/feelings

Many causes: Depression can be caused by many contributory biological (eg medications, medical conditions, substances, etc), psychological (eg thoughts, resiliency, etc) and/or situational (eg loss of job, interpersonal disconnect, etc) features. Risperidone and/or the actual cause/reaction to the psychosis can cause depression. Cipralex (an ssri antidepressant) may help, but can take weeks for full effect.

Psychotic depression: It sounds like your sister may have a psychotic form of depression. This includes all the suffering of non-psychotic depression but with hallucinations and delusions added. These can be self-abusive and self-negating. Effective treatment requires both antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, so your sister's treatment should help. If suicidal, she may need inpatient treatment for a time.

See a psychiatrist.: The Risperdal helps the psychosis and there is a condition called major depression with psychotic symptoms. Yours sister may have been depressed but the psychosis masked the depression and may now be unmasked when the psychosis gets better. Th e cypralex will help but it takes anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks , on the right dose, for the depression improves. If she feels suicidal, she needs inpatient

Depressed sister: you are a very caring and supportive sister. There are multiple psychiatric illnesses that include depressive symptoms and psychotic symptoms, occurring either together, or sequentially. Risperdal is approved tx for psychosis and it sounds like this has been effective. I'm sorry to hear that your sister is now quite depressed. The medication prescribed is appropriate. Much support to both of you.