What acronym is used to remember the symptoms of depression?

The acronym SIGECAPS is a widely recognized mnemonic used to remember the key symptoms of major depressive disorder. Each letter stands for a specific symptom associated with depression, making it easier for healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners, to recall the diagnostic criteria.

Specifically, SIGECAPS represents:

• S: Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia)

• I: Interest loss (anhedonia)

• G: Guilt or feelings of worthlessness

• E: Energy loss (fatigue)

• C: Concentration difficulties

• A: Appetite changes (increase or decrease)

• P: Psychomotor agitation or retardation

• S: Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

This structured approach enables practitioners to systematically assess and identify depression in patients. By using the SIGECAPS acronym, healthcare providers can ensure that they evaluate each symptom thoroughly during a clinical assessment, ultimately supporting accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.

While other options may relate to mental health, they do not encapsulate the specific symptoms of depression as effectively as SIGECAPS does. For instance, SAFETY is more focused on risk assessment, COMPASS could relate to holistic assessments, and GRIEF pertains primarily to the experience of loss rather than outlining depressive symptoms specifically. Understanding