RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE COGNITIONS IN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

A study is reported that examined memory for past experiences and anti cipation of future experiences within panic disorder patients (N = 17) , depressed patients (N = 16), and controls (N = 17). Anticipation and recall of positive and negative experiences were examined by administ ering an adapted verbal fluency paradigm. Participants were asked to g enerate future and past, positive and negative experiences in response to various time-frame cues. Anxiety was associated with generating mo re negative experiences but not fewer positive experiences; depression was associated with generating fewer positive experiences but not mor e negative experiences. The patterns for recall of past experiences an d anticipation of future experiences were very similar.