When you realize that major depressive disorder is often missed during the course of routine health care, there needs to be an approach that assures early detection.
Need a quick and effective way to screen for detection of depression depression and a means to help remember what to look for?
Here is a mnemonic that I came across that effectively screens a patient for Major Depressive disorder:
S.P.A.C.E – R.A.G.S
S: Sleep disorder (increased somnolence or insomnia)
P: Pleasure (lack of = anhendonia)
A: Appetite (decreased or increased)
C: Concentration (decreased)
E: Energy (low)
R: Retardation (movement, thinking, etc. vs. agitation)
A: Agitation
G: Guilt
S: Suicidal Ideation
