Neurocognitive Profile of Individuals having Depression with Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

Depression is characterized by a persistent state of sadness and disinterest in activities that one would normally find enjoyable, as well as an inability to function on a daily basis for at least two weeks. Reducing the overall number of suicide deaths and intentional self-harm incidents requires early detection of depression. Depression is frequently caused by suicide. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been found to be highly correlated. The purpose of the current study is to comprehend the neurocognitive profile of depressed individuals who have considered suicide. This cross-sectional study included 30 participants of both genders who were between the ages of 20 and 50. Further assessments of cognitive flexibility were conducted using tests for domains such as working memory, inhibition, set shifting, processing speed, and attention. Overall, it can be concluded that while phonemic fluency, inhibition, and set shifting have been found to have an impact, processing speed, attention, working memory, and semantic fluency are all compromised in depression associated with suicidal ideation. We can draw the conclusion that depression is a significant health problem that must not be disregarded because it is a key indicator of suicide and has been shown to reduce engagement in day-to-day activities, both of which can result in a reduced quality of life.