Understanding and managing Cognition in the Depressed Patient

Cognition is a renewed area of clinical focus in major depressive disorder (MDD). Cognitive problems such as difficulty concentrating and making decisions are common symptoms of MDD, and while these symptoms improve as depressive symptoms improve in some patients, a substantial portion of patients experience cognitive impairment even while euthymic. In turn, impaired cognition hinders restoration of psychosocial functioning, allowing for continued difficulty at work, at home, and in social settings. Therefore, clinicians must routinely measure and manage cognitive functioning in patients with MDD.