Major Depressive Disorder as a Disorder of Cognition

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. People who experience depression face difficulties in many areas of their daily living. Cognitive problems are commonly associated with depression and have significant impact on social and work functioning. The lack of treatments specifically aimed at improving cognition may lead to persistent cognitive dysfunction in depression, and this is a major factor in depression-related disability. In this chapter, we will discuss the case for formulating major depressive disorder as a disorder of cognition and motivation, and the interaction between the two. We will also highlight cognitive dysfunction as a target for treatment in depression.