What psychological state does the mnemonic SIGECAPGS evaluate?

The mnemonic SIGECAPGS is specifically designed to help evaluate major depressive disorder. Each letter in the acronym stands for key symptoms associated with depression:

• S: Sleep changes (insomnia or hypersomnia)

• I: Interest (loss of interest or pleasure in activities)

• G: Guilt (feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt)

• E: Energy (fatigue or loss of energy)

• C: Concentration (difficulty in making decisions or concentrating)

• A: Appetite (changes in appetite or weight)

• P: Psychomotor agitation or retardation

• G: Suicidal ideation (thoughts of death or suicide)

• S: Social withdrawal or decrease in social activities

This mnemonic emphasizes the varied experiences individuals may have when suffering from depression, including emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms. While anxiety and stress can overlap or coexist with depression, SIGECAPGS is specifically tailored to capture the essence of depressive experiences, which is why it aligns accurately with the psychological state of depression. The factors involved in anxiety, stress, or bipolar disorder have different symptomatology and criteria for diagnosis, making them not applicable in this context.