The present paper reviews cognitive dysfunction, which is considered to have an effect on the relapse of depression, and discusses the usefulness of psychological interventions that focus on cognitive dysfunction. First, the review suggests that patients whose depression is in remission continue to show deficits in memory, attention, and executive function. Thus, the paper considers the effect of cognitive dysfunction on the adaptation of patients who are in remission. Next, the paper discusses the usefulness of assessing cognitive dysfunction and targeting the dysfunctions themselves in treatment, and proposes that the addition of neuropsychological approaches to the usual cognitive behavior therapy might augment the effect of relapse prevention. Finally, the paper discusses the following future issues: (a) the necessity of controlling samples and methods, (b) the necessity of reviewing effects of medication on cognitive function after remission, and (c) the necessity of developing intervention strategies that take into account the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction in patients with remitted depression, and examining the effect of the intervention.
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