Posted by uncouth on September 23, 2009, at 11:42:32
In reply to Re: depression + executive function, posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2009, at 11:03:56
I'm not sure what the dictionary definition of 'executive function' is, but in my opinion, the term is probably used a bit too broadly. For the past two and half years I have been dealing with an acute, crippling bipolar-esque depression. During that time, I've been on a variety of meds and med combinations, including MAOIs, TCAs, SNRIs, APs -- the whole shebang. And 22 sessions of ECT.
My experience has been that during certain treatments, parts of executive function seem to be working fine, although mood is suicidally low. For example, my ability to solve analytical problems, read complex material, cogitate can be fine. My intellectual capacity has in fact improved over the past year despite my depression maintaining, if not worsening.
Other aspects of 'executive function', like decision-making, ability to talk back to negative thoughts, ability to notice, latch on, and depend on the objective positives in one's life, social intelligence, etc. however can be very much weakened by depression. To say nothing of sustained attention and motivation.
My own understanding, and it is very superficial, is that the prefrontal cortex serves as the locus for the more integrative, high-level, dare I say most human aspects of personality. A dysfunction of the PFC, and/or it's connections to the limbic region, I imagine as truly a 'dehumanizing' disorder. To me, that's what depression feels like. As though I'm losing those things that make humans most human.
-uncouth
poster:uncouth
thread:918139
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090921/msgs/918159.html