CMN 552: Module 1 Study Guide - Mood Disorders
Introduction
This guide provides a focused, exam-aligned review of Module 1: Mood Disorders. It is
designed to support efficient studying and a strong foundational understanding of the
essential concepts in psychiatric mental health nursing. The guide summarizes key topics,
lecture highlights, and module-relevant material to help you identify key points, reinforce
comprehension, and prepare confidently for quizzes, exams, and coursework.
I. Core Concepts: Screening and Diagnosis
Success in this module hinges on mastering the primary diagnostic frameworks for mood
disorders. These tools are not just for exams; they are the bedrock of clinical assessment in
psychiatric nursing.
A. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): The SIGECAPS Mnemonic
To meet the DSM-5 criteria for MDD, a patient must exhibit at least five of the following
symptoms during the same 2-week period, with at least one of the symptoms being either
(1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Mnemonic Symptom Clinical Notes
S Sleep Insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep) or hypersomnia
(excessive sleepiness).
I Interest Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all,
activities (anhedonia).
G Guilt Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt.
E Energy Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
C Concentration Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
A Appetite Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or
decrease/increase in appetite.
P Psychomotor Psychomotor agitation or retardation observable by others.
S Suicidality Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a
specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan.
Exam Tip: Be prepared to apply the SIGECAPS criteria to clinical vignettes. You will need to
identify which symptoms are present and determine if the patient meets the threshold for
an MDD diagnosis.
, B. Bipolar and Related Disorders: The DIGFAST Mnemonic
For a diagnosis of a manic episode, a patient must experience a period of abnormally and
persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week and present
most of the day, nearly every day. During this period, three or more of the following
symptoms must be present (four if the mood is only irritable).
Mnemonic Symptom Clinical Notes
D Distractibility Attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant
external stimuli.
I Indiscretion Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential
for painful consequences (e.g., unrestrained buying sprees,
sexual indiscretions).
G Grandiosity Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.
F Flight of Subjective experience that thoughts are racing.
ideas
A Activity Increase in goal-directed activity (socially, at work or school,
or sexually) or psychomotor agitation.
S Sleep Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours
of sleep).
T Talkativeness More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking.
Clinical Distinction: * Bipolar I Disorder: Defined by at least one manic episode.
Depressive episodes are common but not required for diagnosis. * Bipolar II Disorder:
Defined by at least one hypomanic episode (a less severe form of mania) and at least one
major depressive episode. * Cyclothymic Disorder: A chronic (at least 2 years) mood
disturbance characterized by numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms that do not
meet criteria for a hypomanic episode and numerous periods with depressive symptoms
that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode.
II. Pathophysiology and Etiology
A foundational understanding of the biological underpinnings of mood disorders is crucial
for both exams and clinical practice.
A. Neurotransmitter Dysregulation
The monoamine hypothesis is a key theory. While overly simplistic, it provides a useful
framework.
• Serotonin (5-HT): Implicated in mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite. A deficit is a
cornerstone of depression theories.
• Norepinephrine (NE): Plays a role in alertness, energy, and attention. Dysregulation
is linked to the fatigue and concentration deficits seen in depression.
Introduction
This guide provides a focused, exam-aligned review of Module 1: Mood Disorders. It is
designed to support efficient studying and a strong foundational understanding of the
essential concepts in psychiatric mental health nursing. The guide summarizes key topics,
lecture highlights, and module-relevant material to help you identify key points, reinforce
comprehension, and prepare confidently for quizzes, exams, and coursework.
I. Core Concepts: Screening and Diagnosis
Success in this module hinges on mastering the primary diagnostic frameworks for mood
disorders. These tools are not just for exams; they are the bedrock of clinical assessment in
psychiatric nursing.
A. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): The SIGECAPS Mnemonic
To meet the DSM-5 criteria for MDD, a patient must exhibit at least five of the following
symptoms during the same 2-week period, with at least one of the symptoms being either
(1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Mnemonic Symptom Clinical Notes
S Sleep Insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep) or hypersomnia
(excessive sleepiness).
I Interest Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all,
activities (anhedonia).
G Guilt Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt.
E Energy Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
C Concentration Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
A Appetite Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or
decrease/increase in appetite.
P Psychomotor Psychomotor agitation or retardation observable by others.
S Suicidality Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a
specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan.
Exam Tip: Be prepared to apply the SIGECAPS criteria to clinical vignettes. You will need to
identify which symptoms are present and determine if the patient meets the threshold for
an MDD diagnosis.
, B. Bipolar and Related Disorders: The DIGFAST Mnemonic
For a diagnosis of a manic episode, a patient must experience a period of abnormally and
persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week and present
most of the day, nearly every day. During this period, three or more of the following
symptoms must be present (four if the mood is only irritable).
Mnemonic Symptom Clinical Notes
D Distractibility Attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant
external stimuli.
I Indiscretion Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential
for painful consequences (e.g., unrestrained buying sprees,
sexual indiscretions).
G Grandiosity Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.
F Flight of Subjective experience that thoughts are racing.
ideas
A Activity Increase in goal-directed activity (socially, at work or school,
or sexually) or psychomotor agitation.
S Sleep Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours
of sleep).
T Talkativeness More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking.
Clinical Distinction: * Bipolar I Disorder: Defined by at least one manic episode.
Depressive episodes are common but not required for diagnosis. * Bipolar II Disorder:
Defined by at least one hypomanic episode (a less severe form of mania) and at least one
major depressive episode. * Cyclothymic Disorder: A chronic (at least 2 years) mood
disturbance characterized by numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms that do not
meet criteria for a hypomanic episode and numerous periods with depressive symptoms
that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode.
II. Pathophysiology and Etiology
A foundational understanding of the biological underpinnings of mood disorders is crucial
for both exams and clinical practice.
A. Neurotransmitter Dysregulation
The monoamine hypothesis is a key theory. While overly simplistic, it provides a useful
framework.
• Serotonin (5-HT): Implicated in mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite. A deficit is a
cornerstone of depression theories.
• Norepinephrine (NE): Plays a role in alertness, energy, and attention. Dysregulation
is linked to the fatigue and concentration deficits seen in depression.
