A systematic review of the impact of social cognitive deficits on psychosocial functioning in major depressive disorder and opportunities for therapeutic intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 274 ◽  
pp. 195-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael James Weightman ◽  
Matthew James Knight ◽  
Bernhard Theodor Baune
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Social Cognitive Deficits ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Social cognition and major depressive disorder: impact on psychosocial function and therapeutic opportunities

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S300-S300
Author(s):  
Michael Weightman ◽  
Bernhard Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Cognitive Deficits ◽  
The Impact

AimsThis poster aims to examine the impact of social cognitive deficits on psychosocial functioning in depressed patients, as well as summarise the utility of various evidence-based therapeutic interventions employed to target these deficits. The stated hypotheses were twofold: (1) that social cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder will correlate with poorer psychosocial functioning; and (2) that these deficits will respond to existing anti-depressant therapies.BackgroundSocial cognition is an important adaptive trait that incorporates the identification, perception and interpretation of socially relevant information from the external world. It is frequently affected in major depressive disorder such that depressed patienMethodA review of the existing literature was performed in order to test the stated hypotheses. Pertinent sources were identified via the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. A total of 107 studies met inclusion criteria for review.ResultImpaired social cognitive performance in depressed patients correlated with poorer psychosocial functioning across the key domains of general cognitive functioning and quality of life. Many current anti-depressant therapies were found to have a normalising effect on the social cognitive abilities of depressed subjects, both at a neural and functional level. Anti-depressant medications, in particular citalopram and reboxetine, appeared to correct facial affect recognition deficits, while a psychotherapeutic approach demonstrated improvements in theory of mind and negative interpretive bias. Data relating to other common treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy, are limited.ConclusionThe impact and treatment of social cognitive deficits in major depressive disorder is an important emerging field. The social cognitive deficits evident in depressed patients are sometimes subtle, but afford a significant functional impact. Additionally, it appears these impairments are at least partially reversible using anti-depressants or psychotherapy.

Social Cognitive Deficits: Impact on Psychosocial Function and Novel Treatment Opportunities in Major Depressive Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 269-280
Author(s):  
Michael Weightman ◽  
Bernhard T. Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Facial Affect ◽  
Affect Recognition ◽  
Facial Affect Recognition ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
The Impact

This chapter examines current literature regarding the impact of social cognition on psychosocial functioning in major depressive disorder, as well as potential treatment opportunities. Impairments of social cognition influence psychosocial functioning in the key domains of social performance, emotional/empathic performance, general cognitive functioning, and quality of life. Multiple treatment modalities have been used to target these difficulties, including antidepressant medication, psychotherapeutic approaches, and procedural interventions. Studies assess treatment efficacy based on the impact on facial affect recognition, interpretation of affective pictures, theory of mind performance, and prosody. Many current therapies are shown to have a normalizing effect for accuracy of interpretation and reduction in underlying negative interpretative bias. In particular, certain antidepressants seem to correct facial affect recognition deficits, while several psychotherapeutic approaches appear well suited for addressing impaired theory of mind or mood-congruent interpretative biases.

Cognitive dimensions of major depressive disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bernhard T. Baune
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Psychosocial Impairment ◽  
Symptomatic Remission

Major depressive disorder is characterized by impaired affect, cognitive dysfunction, and significant psychosocial impairment that persists from weeks to years. Cognitive symptoms are pervasive, affecting functioning in several domains, including reduced executive functioning, attention, memory, learning, psychomotor speed, and verbal processing. Recent evidence suggests that cognitive dysfunction persists following symptomatic remission, highlighting the need to treat cognition separately from mood symptoms. Residual cognitive deficits may contribute to ongoing occupational and social dysfunction and promote suicide ideation. In addition, retention of cognitive impairment may interact with existing emotional and social vulnerability, increasing the risk of recurrent depressive episodes. The chapter characterizes the domains of emotional, nonemotional, and social cognitive function in major depressive disorder. It examines the domains and descriptors of nonemotional cognitive function. It evaluates the important relationship between cognitive deficits and psychosocial function, as well as the clinical interactions between ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ cognitive function. It extends our understanding of the social cognitive function and its implications for social performance and impact on emotional and empathic performance.

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