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State-dependent alteration in face emotion recognition in depression
Ian M Anderson1, Clare Shippen, Gabriella Juhasz
1Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, School of Community Based Medicine, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. ian.anderson@manchester.ac.uk
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|January 26, 2011
Summary
Individuals with current depression show reduced emotion recognition due to decreased discrimination. Those with a history of depression exhibit increased bias, potentially increasing relapse risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Negative biases in emotional processing are known in current depression.
- Less is understood about these biases in remitted depression, which may indicate relapse vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare accuracy, discrimination, and bias in facial emotion recognition.
- To differentiate these processes between individuals with current and remitted depression.
Main Methods:
- A computerised face emotion recognition task was administered.
- Participants included a control group (n=101), currently depressed (n=30), and remitted depressed (n=99).
- Standardised assessments of diagnosis and mood symptoms were used.
Main Results:
- Currently depressed individuals showed decreased discrimination in recognizing emotions.
- Remitted depressed individuals exhibited increased response bias.
- These differences were most pronounced for anger, fear, and sadness, and were absent in antidepressant users.
Conclusions:
- Facial emotion recognition abnormalities differ between current and remitted depression.
- Reduced discrimination in depressed individuals may suggest social withdrawal.
- Increased bias in remitted depression could predict relapse risk.
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