The influence of lifetime depression on self-reported memory and cognitive problems: results from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication.

The current study investigated the association between lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) and self-reported memory and cognitive problems in a general population sample. The study was based on data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (n = 5692). The relationship between lifetime MDD and self-reported memory and cognitive problems was examined while controlling for other 1-year and lifetime psychiatric disorders. We found a lifetime history of depression, but no other lifetime psychiatric disorder, to be associated with self-reported memory and cognitive problems. We review the results in relation to theories regarding the comorbidity of depression and cognitive problems. A history of depression increases the likelihood that individuals will make negative evaluations of their memory and cognitive functioning. Though depression is highly comorbid with other disorders, our results are unique in demonstrating the specificity of depression in its association with self-reported memory and cognitive problems. The observed association between depression and self-reported memory and cognitive problems may reflect that depression increases the risk for cognitive decline or may reflect that individuals with a history of depression tend to rate their memory as poor, or both.