Q: What role do the cognitive symptoms of depression play in daily function?

A: Cognitive deficits are really important to patients and this is often what they come in to the office to report – particularly when they have seen an improvement in their mood. Many of my patients think that these residual effects are actually related to their antidepressant treatment.

These can be residual symptoms that interfere with functional activity. In daily life, this may be seen at work and at home, where memory is affected, with patients not remembering what tasks they have to do.

Q: Do you currently have specific strategies to deal with the cognitive symptoms of depression?

A: My strategies for dealing with cognitive symptoms in patients with depression include trying to use an antidepressant with wider aspects – or I may use addition drug therapies or cognitive remedial strategies. Not all patients are the same and it needs an individual approach.