Mnemonics

Schizophrenia

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Major Depressive Disorder

Manic/Hypomanic Episode

References

Web Sites for More Information

TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Mnemonics for Fun and Learning

Difficult aspects of content can be taught with humor and learned with ease. Try these mnemonics and help your students learn symptoms of mental illness or important psychiatric terms. As you know, visual elements can aid comprehension, retention and recall.

The mnemonics shown on this page are designed to use levity as an educational enhancement.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

"HALDOL BENDER"

• H---Hallucinations - the most common type are auditory
• A---Areas of function are impaired (social, occupational, etc.)
• L---Length of the disturbance is 6 months or longer
• D---Disorganized speech
• O---Organic (general medical) causes have been excluded
• L---Loosening of associations - a disorder of thought form

• B---Behavioral changes - disorganized or catatonic behaviors
• E---Exclude - Mood disorders with psychotic features, schizo-affective disorder
• N---Negative symptoms (see "NEGATIVE TRACK" below)
• D---Delusions - usually bizarre in content (cannot possibly occur)
• E---Early (pervasive developmental) disorders not present
• R---Recreational drug use excluded - e.g. amphetamines & cocaine

NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

"NEGATIVE TRACK"

• N---Negligible response to conventional antipsychotics
• E---Eye contact is decreased
• G---Grooming & hygiene decline
• A---Affective responses become flat
• T---Thought blocking
• I---Inattentiveness
• V---Volition is diminished
• E---Expressive gestures decrease

• T---Time - increases the number of negative symptoms
• R---Recreational interests diminish; Rrelationships decrease
• A's-Absence/lack of certain features - apathy, anhedonia, alogia
• C---Content of speech diminishes (poverty of thought)
• K---Knowledge - cognitive deficits increase

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

"MASS FEE GAP FITS"

• M---Mood is depressed for most of day, almost everyday
• A---Activities are no longer of interest or pleasureable (anhedonia)
• S---Sleep changes - insomnia or hypersomnia
• S---Suicidal ideation

• F---Functioning is significantly impaired
• E---Energy level is decreased
• E---Exclude mixed episode and bereavement

• G---Guilt or worthlessness that is excessive or inappropriate
• A---Appetite changes (up or down); weight changes by 5% or more
• P---Psychomotor changes - agitation or retardation

• F---Five of nine symptoms needed (DSM-IV)
• I---Indecisiveness, poor concentration, or diminished attention span
• T---Two-week minimum duration
• S---Substance-Related Disorder needs to be excluded

MANIC/HYPOMANIC EPISODE

"FAST DIGGERS"

• F---Functioning is severely impaired
• A---Activities pursued with the potential for painful consequences
• S---Substance-Related Disorders need to be excluded
• T---Talkative - both rate and amount of speech are increased

• D---Distractability
• I---Ideas racing (flight of ideas)
• G---Grandiose; inflated self-esteem
• G---Goal-directed activity is increased
• E---Elevated or Eexpansive mood (can also be irritable)
• R---Rule out general medical conditions
• S---Sleep requirement is lessened

Robinson, D. (2001). Mnemonics & More. Port Huron, MI:Rapid Psychler Press.

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