It's hard to stop the negativity: A study on post-depressed people and their feelings

You can heal your depression, but it's often hard to change your worldview after that, a new study claims.

Individuals who have recovered from a major depressive episode seem to dedicate more time to processing negative information and less time to processing positive information, compared to those who haven't experienced such episodes. 

This predisposition could potentially increase their vulnerability to relapse, as per research published by the American Psychological Association.

A study on life after depression

Conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, the study examined responses from individuals with a history of major depressive disorder and healthy controls. 

The results indicated that individuals who had experienced major depressive episodes exhibited a bias towards focusing on negative information over positive information, which aligns with the typical characteristics of depression.

While established treatments for depression exist, relapse rates for major depressive disorder remain high, making it essential to understand the risk factors involved. 

Why is it important?

The study's findings underscore the importance of not only reducing the processing of negative information but also incorporating strategies to enhance the processing of positive information as a potential approach to prevent depression relapse.

The study suggests that insights into how individuals with a history of major depression process information could potentially contribute to improving treatment strategies and relapse prevention.
 

• Related news:
• research
• depression
• well-being
• 26 August 2023

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