Which symptom is included in the SIG E CAPS criteria for depression?

The SIG E CAPS criteria is a mnemonic used to help identify the symptoms of major depressive disorder. It stands for Sleep changes, Interest deficit, Guilt, Energy deficit, Concentration difficulties, Appetite changes, and Psychomotor agitation or retardation, and Suicidal thoughts. Among these, the presence of feelings of guilt is a notable and common symptom seen in individuals experiencing depression. It often manifests as persistent notions of worthlessness or self-blame, which can significantly affect a person's quality of life and functioning.

While social withdrawal and difficulty in relationships can be related to depressive symptoms, they are not explicitly mentioned in the SIG E CAPS mnemonic. Feeling of elation, which is described in the choices, is typically associated with mania or hypomania rather than depression. Thus, guilt precisely aligns with the established criteria for diagnosing major depressive episodes and emphasizes the emotional turmoil individuals often experience during depressive episodes.