Cognitive aspects of Chronic Depression

Research into the role of cognition in depression has typically examined episodes of acute depression or the recurrence of depression with much less research into the role of cognition in chronic depression. Riso et al. (2003) examined the role of dysfunctional attitudes, attributional style, a ruminative response style, and maladaptive core beliefs in a sample of 42 chronically depressed outpatients, 27 outpatients with non-chronic major depression, and 24 control subjects without psychoatric problems. Both depressed groups scored higher that the control group on measures of these cognitive variables and the chronicallu depressed group generally scored higher than those with non-chronic depression even after controlling for mood state and personality disorder symptoms.

It looks to me as though cognition plays the same role in chronic depression as in non-chronic depression, only more so. The authors of this study interpret their findings as supporting Young's Schema Therapy and McCullough's CBASP as treatments for chronic depression. However, their findings are equally supportive of "standard" Cognitive Therapy for chronic depression.

Riso, L.P., et al. (2003). Cognitive aspects of chronic depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112, 72-80.

Replies:

Chronic Depression or Depressive Personality Disorder?, by Jim Pretzer, 03/17/03 MBCT and meta-cognitive awareness, by Carl Robbins, 03/17/03 Re:Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, by Jim Pretzer, 03/19/03 Re:MBCT and meta-cognitive awareness, by Joop Meijers, 03/21/03

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