Depression Mnemonic – SIG E CAPS Mnemonic – BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics

Depression Mnemonic - SIG E CAPS Mnemonic - BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - Visit www.DailyMedEd.com For More Medical Mnemonics

DEPRESSION

Depression is highly prevalent and disabling. Community surveys in 14 countries have estimated that the lifetime prevalence of unipolar depressive disorders is 12%, and the World Health Organization ranks major depression as the 11th greatest cause of disability and mortality in the world.

In the United States, major depression ranks second among all diseases and injuries as a cause of disability, and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) ranks 20th.

In addition, major depression is highly recurrent. Following recovery from one episode, the estimated rate of recurrence over two years is greater than 40%; after two episodes, the risk of recurrence within five years is approximately 75%.

According to DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria, major depressive disorder is diagnosed in patients who have suffered at least one major depressive episode and have no history of mania or hypomania. A major depressive episode is a period lasting at least two weeks, with five or more of the following symptoms: depressed mood, anhedonia, insomnia or hypersomnia, change in appetite or weight, psychomotor retardation or agitation, low energy, poor concentration, thoughts of worthlessness or guilt, and recurrent thoughts about death or suicide; at least one of the symptoms must be depressed mood or anhedonia.

If you are having trouble remembering all the important questions to ask your patient who is presenting with depression during your USMLE Step 2 CS patient encounter, then try this Depression Mnemonic – SIG E CAPs Mnemonic for both your USMLE Step 2 CS and when you are practicing in the real world.

Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 

NOTE: Always wash your hands or wear gloves before you start physical examination. Make sure to ask for permission before you start each physical exam. Make sure to use proper draping (don’t forget to tie back patient’s gown). Make sure to explain each physical examination in layman’s term to your patient. Do NOT repeat painful maneuvers.

Although the benefit of screening physical examinations in depression has not been demonstrated, it has been suggest for new onset depression (especially if the psychosocial context or precipitant is not clear), severe depression (particularly patients with melancholic or psychotic features), or treatment-resistant depression, as well as patients who have or at risk for chronic medical conditions. More detailed physical examination should be pursued as guided by the history and review of systems.

For the sake of  USMLE Step 2 CS,  be sure to at least do the following, when you are doing your physical examination and also make sure to document them.

  • Assess patient’s general appearance (does patient look disheveled? are they crying? do they make eye contact?)
  • Evaluate their hair, skin and their thyroid gland (is the thyroid gland enlarged? are there any thyroid nodules?)
  • Look for signs of self-harm or abuse.
  • You can ask patient about suicidal or homicidal thoughts and if they have any ‘active’ plan to act on those thoughts.
  • Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
  • You may also quickly do Cardiovascular examRespiratory exam if time permits.

Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic


Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic

 SIG E CAPS Mnemonic - Depression Mnemonic - BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - www.DailyMedEd.com

SIG E CAPS Mnemonic – Depression Mnemonic


DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic

DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP

  • Physical Examination as discussed above.
  • Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): To assess renal function. Not only can kidney disease lead to symptoms similar to depression, but it’s also important for doctors to know if kidney function is impaired before prescribing an antidepressant. When the kidneys aren’t working well, they may not be able to metabolize certain medications properly.
  • Liver Function Panel: liver disease can cause symptoms similar to depression, such as lethargy. If patient’s liver isn’t working well, it may be indicative of alcohol misuse, which can co-occur with or lead to depression. Like with the kidneys, it’s also important to know how well the liver is working before prescribing medications, as the organ’s ability to metabolize drugs properly can influence how they work.
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): check for anemia or infection, both of which can lead to fatigue.
  • Urine drug screen: to rule out drug abuse.
  • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): to rule out thyroid disorder. If the thyroid gland is either under- or overactive, it may result in developing mood symptoms such as depression.
  • HbA1C: to rule out diabetes mellitus as a potential cause for depression. Several studies have also indicated that people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing depression. Also remember that most patients with chronic medical conditions suffer from depression.
  • Rapid plasma reagin (RPR): to rule out underlying syphilis/neurosyphilis, especially for those patients who have a history of high risk sexual behavior.
  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HcG): to rule out pregnancy, especially in women of reproductive age (15-49 years) population.

More extensive testing (eg, vitamin B12, folate, and electrocardiogram) is often indicated for patients who have chronic medical conditions, or are at increased risk for medical illnesses, including elderly or institutionalized patients, and patients with self-neglect or substance use disorders.

  • Neuroimaging studies such as Heat CT are typically reserved for patients whose evaluation suggests an increased likelihood of structural brain disease. These include focal neurologic signs on physical examination or persistent cognitive impairment. However, it is reasonable to obtain neuroimaging in older depressed patients, especially patients with new onset depression in later life.

Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic


Depression Mnemonic - SIG E CAPS Mnemonic - BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - DailyMedEd.com
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES:
Please be sure to visit the following FREE resources, if you are currently feeling depressed or have any suicidal thoughts.


Depression Mnemonic - SIG E CAPS Mnemonic - BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - DailyMedEd.com
OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
Please visit the following links for even more great resources to help you with your USMLE Step 2 CS.


Depression Mnemonic - SIG E CAPS Mnemonic - BEST USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - DailyMedEd.com
FREE MEDICAL VIDEOS
Click on the button below to take advantage of Hundreds of FREE medical video lectures as well as many more Physical Examination Videos.

www.FreeMedicalVideos.com

Click on the Image below if you are having trouble with your Time Management:

Did you like this Depression Mnemonic – SIG E CAPS Mnemonic ?

If so, then click on the Image below for More USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics:

USMLE-STEP-2-CS-TIMER-For-PRACTICEBest USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics - Easy USMLE CS Mnemonics - See More CS Mnemonics at www.DailyMedEd.com

Depression Mnemonic SIG E CAPS Mnemonic

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments