Which items are included in the SIGECAPS acronym used to screen for depressive symptoms?

• A. Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor, Suicide
• B. Sleep, Energy, Mood, Appetite, Concentration
• C. Sleep, Interest, Energy, Guilt
• D. Mood, Sleep, Appetite, Impulse

Answer: (A)

SIGECAPS is a screening tool for depressive symptoms, with eight domains that cover the main areas affected in depression. Each letter stands for Sleep disturbances, Loss of Interest (anhedonia), Guilt, Energy (low), Concentration problems, Appetite changes, Psychomotor changes (agitation or retardation), and Suicidal ideation. The strongest answer is the one that includes all eight components, because that set precisely matches the SIGECAPS mnemonic. It also helps explain why other options aren’t a fit: they either replace or omit several SIGECAPS items (for example, using Mood instead of Sleep, or leaving out Appetite, Concentration, Psychomotor changes, or Suicidal ideation) or introduce terms not part of the mnemonic (such as Impulse). Understanding these eight domains clarifies how this screening tool captures the breadth of depressive symptoms across multiple areas.