Sadness, apathy, and excessive worry are well-known symptoms of depression, the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder. Now, a European and American study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology reveals that this disease can also have positive effects on the brain . In a series of experiments, healthy and clinically depressed participants played a video game in which they could earn a certain amount of money by employing a candidate in a mock job interview . Each candidate had an economic value, and was presented in a random order. The player had to decide when to stop the search. The study revealed that depressed participants found the most appropriate strategy more often than their healthy peers .
Specifically, depressed people searched more meticulously and made decisions that carried higher payoffs than their peers. The authors of the study conclude that depression improves analytical reasoning and perseverance , both very useful in the performance of complex tasks.
