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Intensified emotion perception in depression: Differences in physiological arousal and subjective perceptions
Sofia Wenzler1, Marleen Hagen1, Mika P Tarvainen2
1Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe Univ., Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Psychiatry Research
|April 17, 2017
Summary
Depression intensifies the perception of negative stimuli, leading to heightened physiological arousal and subjective distress. This emotional over-responsivity in depressed individuals is linked to poorer social and emotional skills.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Depression is characterized by negative self-perception and environmental appraisal.
- Depressed individuals may experience negative information as more stressful, leading to amplified subjective and physiological responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether depressed individuals exhibit heightened physiological and subjective responses to negative emotional stimuli compared to healthy controls.
- To examine the association between emotional over-responsivity and social-emotional competence in depression.
Main Methods:
- 41 patients with recurrent depressive episodes and 42 healthy controls were presented with negative, neutral, and positive images from the International Affective Picture System.
- Physiological arousal (skin temperature, respiratory frequency, heart rate variability) and subjective ratings of valence and arousal were assessed.
- Social skills and emotional competence were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Depressed subjects showed elevated skin temperature and accentuated respiratory frequency.
- Depressed individuals rated stimuli as more negative and arousing compared to controls.
- Heightened emotional perception in depression was associated with reduced social and emotional competence.
Conclusions:
- Depression involves an intensified perception of negative emotions, manifesting in increased physiological arousal and subjective distress.
- This emotional over-responsivity is linked to deficits in social and emotional competence, highlighting a potential therapeutic target.