Overview
Introduction
A patient with major depressive disorder may describe sadness, but the nurse often notices the broader pattern first: loss of pleasure, slowed or agitated behaviour, disrupted s...
A patient with major depressive disorder may describe sadness, but the nurse often notices the broader pattern first: loss of pleasure, slowed or agitated behaviour, disrupted sleep and appetite, reduced concentration, guilt, and withdrawal from usual roles. The immediate clinical question is not simply how low the mood is. It is whether the person is safe, whether the syndrome represents unipolar depression, and what severity and medical or substance-related factors are shaping the plan. For an RPN, this means combining purposeful assessment with prompt communication. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts, observe changes after medication starts or dose adjustments, and escalate findings that exceed the person’s safety or the nurse’s scope under provincial and employer policy.