Long-term effects of unipolar depression on cognitions

As part of an ongoing study of risk factors for unipolar depression in a high-risk group, we have evaluated cognitive variables documented to be abnormal during an episode of depression in adult first-degree relatives of unipolar depressed probands. Asymptomatic relatives with a history of unipolar depression were compared with relatives who had never been depressed. Despite an extended period of recovery (approximately 8 years), relatives with a history of unipolar depression had more negative moment-to-moment thinking, more dysfunctional attitudes, and were more likely to attribute failure to themselves than relatives with no depression. These findings support the hypothesis that unipolar depression is associated with long-term changes in selected cognitive functioning.