The relationship between executive functions and depression

• Main Authors: Choo, David Rui Qun, Ho, Jun Ting, Tan, Eric Wei Cheng
• Other Authors: Xu Hong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62763
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this review, we investigated and discussed the crucial links between Major Depressive Disorder, the occurrence of depressive symptoms and their associational effects with components of Executive Function, which are thought to predict life functioning and success for the average individual. Reviewing recent scientific research on major depression and major aspects of executive functions, we explored the relative impacts of depression on each executive function, as well as the reverse relationship, finding that executive functions and attention played a bigger role in perpetuating depression than previously thought. Going further in our review, we discussed the effects that comorbid anxiety disorders and its characteristics have on depression and executive functions, as well as the impact of depressive rumination as a maladaptive/adaptive factor in perpetuating depression. This review aims to bring a clearer understanding to the field of depression research, so as to empower therapists and clinicians to make more informed decisions about therapy choice and helping depressed patients attain higher life functioning.