Latest Developments in Cognitive Functioning in Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Cognitive impairments are well-documented features of mood and anxiety disorders. Recent developments in research on cognition, assessment techniques, treatments, and comorbidities in cognitive changes across major depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reviewed. Promising treatments have been reported but are tempered by self-reported cognitive performance and its minimal relationship to objective data. The need for objective assessment as well as assessment of subjective impressions of cognition is discussed. The use of assessment of performance-based measures of everyday functional skills in major depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD is another critical development highlighted in the present review. The recent success of pharmacological treatments for cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) is promising, yet the need for clinicians to assess and consider bias in their treatment outcome data is essential.