Clinical Skills Guidelines
Physicians should be sure to inquire about pertinent symptoms of depression: SIGECAPS[1]
S - Sleep
I - Interest
G - Guilt
E - Energy
C - Concentration
A - Appetite
P - Psychomotor
S - Suicide
General tips:
Take any thoughts of suicide/homicide seriously in both men and women.
Maintain a kind, compassionate, non-judgmental attitude in order to form a therapeutic alliance.
Consider the social context and try to address any issues.
Encourage patients to ask questions, and provide education about depression as an illness.
Discuss what patients can realistically expect from treatment, including side effects and occasional "bad days" while on the road to recovery. Ensure the patient understands that improvement will take time.
Encourage patients to let the physician know if unable to adhere to treatment plans so alternatives can be arranged[2].
Involve the family/friends where appropriate by asking them to support the patient through the recovery process.
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1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Publishing Inc, 2000.
2. Remick RA (2002) Diagnosis and management of depression in primary care: A clinical update and review. CMAJ 167 (11): 1253-60.
