Abstract:

Theory of mind refers to the ability to explain the appearing behavior of others with reference to their mental state. Theory of mind ability is thought to be an integral part of maintaining social functioning and interpersonal relationships. One of the important clinical features of major depressive disorder is the deterioration of social and interpersonal functions. Since interpersonal difficulties of people with major depression have become widespread, it is of great importance to have a more detailed understanding of the underlying cognitive mechanisms of these social deficits. The aim of this article is to find out current state of research on theory of mind in depressive disorders. When the findings of the studies are considered, it is thought that the difficulties in the social and interpersonal areas seen in the individuals with major depressive disorder may be due, at least in part, to the distortions in their ability to interpret the emotional stimuli and mental states correctly.

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