What symptom is included in the SIG E CAPS mnemonic for depression?

In the SIG E CAPS mnemonic, which is a useful tool for identifying the core symptoms of major depressive disorder, "Sleep changes" is one of the key symptoms. This mnemonic helps clinicians remember the criteria for diagnosing depression by summarizing them into specific categories.

Sleep disturbances can manifest as insomnia or hypersomnia, where individuals may find it difficult to sleep or, conversely, may sleep too much. These changes in sleep patterns are common symptoms of depression and can significantly impact an individual’s overall well-being, mood, and functioning. Recognizing sleep changes is crucial in a clinical setting, as addressing these symptoms is often part of the treatment plan for an individual suffering from depression.

Increased appetite is another potential symptom of depression but is not consistently included in the core diagnostic criteria, while hypertension and energy increase do not align with typical depressive symptoms. Thus, sleep changes is rightly identified as a key component of diagnosing depression within the context of the SIG E CAPS mnemonic.