Psychiatric Review of Symptoms

Within the context of the history and physical examination, the PROS should generally follow the medical history, since some initial rapport-building helps set the stage for more personal psychiatric questions. While the medical review of systems is easily remembered by keeping in mind the major organ systems from head to toe, the PROS, of course, elicits information about more abstract symptoms and may be more difficult to remember. The mnemonic “Depressed Patients Seem Anxious, So Claim Psychiatrists” may be useful, as follows:

1. Depression and other mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia).
2. Personality disorders (primarily borderline personality disorder).
3. Substance abuse disorders.
4. Anxiety disorders (panic disorder with agoraphobia, obssessive-compulsive disorder).
5. Somatization disorder, eating disorders (these two disorders are combined because both involve disorders of bodily perception).
6. Cognitive disorders (dementia, delirium).
7. Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, delusional disorder and psychosis accompanying depression, substance abuse or dementia).