Overgeneral autobiographical memory predicts diagnostic status in depression

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterised by difficulties in retrieving specific autobiographical memories, with a significant propensity towards categoric memories (i.e. memories of a summary type). Previous studies have demonstrated that this overgeneral memory is a valid predictor of the course of depression, with reduced specificity being associated with worse outcome. Most of these studies have employed continuous measures of depression to assess the course of the symptoms. This study investigated whether overgeneral memory also predicts clinical status at follow-up (i.e. whether patients still meet criteria for depression). Patients who fulfilled criteria for major depressive disorder were tested shortly after admission to the hospital and were retested some weeks later. It was found that lower levels of specificity or a higher number of categoric memories were associated with a higher probability of still being diagnosed with MDD. These memory variables outperformed other relevant indices, such as depression severity, rumination, level of self-esteem and dysfunctional attitudes.

Overgeneral autobiographical memory at baseline predicts depressive symptoms at follow-up in patients with first-episode depression

“…Moreover,Hermans et al found that OGM predicted the continuation of an MDD diagnosis(Hermans et al, 2008). However, our findings are discrepant from previous research that addressed this issue.…”

“…In addition, Hermans et al found that depressed patients who retrieved higher levels of OGM upon hospital admission were more likely than patients not characterized by OGM to still meet criteria for MDD 3-4 weeks later, even when initial symptom levels were taken into account (Hermans et al, 2008). These data suggest that OGM is involved in the onset or maintenance of depression.…”

Oxytocin and enhancement of the positive valence of social affiliation memories: An autobiographical memory study

“…In contrast, deficits in autobiographical memory recall (e.g., recalling overgeneral memories that span weeks or months in response to cue words) are associated with an inability to develop balanced views of the self and impairment in future forecasting ability (Williams et al, 2007). In support of this latter contention, deficits in specific autobiographical memory recall are associated with persistent depressive symptoms (Hermans et al, 2008), a poor prognosis among patients with major depression (Raes et al, 2006), and risk for future depressive episodes in high-risk adolescents (Sumner et al, 2011). Considering that depressed people often have negative self-views and are often socially withdrawn, recalling specific autobiographical memories may be a critical component of developing positive self-perceptions through improved access of episodic events that can lend evidence to prosocial worldviews.…”

A review of selected candidate endophenotypes for depression

“…Kappa < 0.90 in Rawal & Rice, 2012). One study of depressed subjects reported moderate-high test-retest reliabilities over 3 to 4 weeks for specific memories ( r = 0.88) and overgeneral memories ( r = 0.53 – 0.66; Hermans et al, 2008). A recent study found modest, but significant stability across a 3–6 year interval for specific ( r = 0.31) and categoric memories ( r = 0.32), and that stability did not differ as a function of depression history (Sumner et al, 2014).…”