crease gram

in BPRS total scores froni prointake to discharge for a subset retested. This scores was not symptom with a general symptoms. that because this study, the results treattesting remained for cluster de-

mission. conic

Data variables

on interrater validity with

reliability other out-

and concurrent

tionaljournal ofMethods search 3:227-244, 1993

in Psychiatric

Re-

of clients who were drop in total BPRS limited but crease

We

will also be needed.

#{149}5.
and
6.

Ventura J, Green
ing and Psychiatric busters.
in

quality

to a specific consistent in reported acknowledge not a controlled

Acknowkdgments

ME Shaner A, et al: Trainassurance with the Brief Rating Scale: the drift International Journal of Methods
Research Inch 3:221-244, 1993

was

The
Tom

authors
Wishart

thank
for helpful

Jim

Cheesman
comments.

Psychiatric M,

References
1. Overall JE, Gorham atric Rating Scale.
10:799-812, 1962

was

are not sufficient evidence ment success. Pmedischarge was limited to clients who

DR: The Brief PsvchiPsychological Reports

B, Thorarinson D, et al: The challenges of conducting program evaluation in a psychiatric day treatment program: the rewards are worth the sweat and tears. Canadian Journal of Conimunitv
Mental Health, in press

Crossley

2.

HedlundjL,
atric

in the pmogramii a significant period of time and whose discharge was planned with program staff. Future investigations using the BPRS as a program outcome measure should include appropriate compami4. 3.

Rating

review.
11:48-65.

Vieweg NIS: The Brief PsychiScale (BPRS): a comprehensive Journal of Operational Psychiatry 1980 HP Nuechterlein KH: in the rehabilitation patients. Schizophrenia 1986 KH, et (BPRS) anchor
Interns-

7.

Suhotnik

sigus lapse.

KL, Nuechterlein KH: Prodromal and symptoms of schizophrenic reJournal of Abnornial Psychology 1988

97:405-412,

D, Libernian Symptom nonitoring of schizophrenic Bulletin 12:578-602, Ventura al: Brief expanded
points,

Lukoff

8.

Overall JE, psychiatric

Hollister disorders: of 1967

LE,

model.
16:146-151, 9.

Archives

Pichot P: Major a four-dimensional General Psychiatry

son groups, who refuse clients who

such as potential clients to enter the program and drop out within days of ad-

J,

Lukoff D, Nuechterlein Psychiatric Rating Scale version (4.0): scales,

administration manual.

and

Guy w ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology Pub DHE\V (ADM) 76-338. Rockville, Md, National Institute of Mental Health, 1976

Mnemonics for DSM-1V Personality Disorders

Harold B. Plnkofsky, M.D., Ph.D. The
monics

paper

presents

several

mne-

T
lined

he criteria-based
agnosis of mental

approach
disorders

to diout-

to assist clinicians in recalling DSM-IY diagnostic criteria for personality disorders. The mnemonics are acronyms, and each letter is associated with a specific criterion. Each acronym reflects a facet of the related disorder; for example, the acronym for the diagnostic criteria for paranoid personality disorder is SUSPECI and for histrionic personality disorder PRAISE ME. The mnemonics been dents
used

dens and helping the criteria. The tended with to DSM-IV be and 1 the

them remember mnemonics are inused in conjunction not as a substitute number in brackets DSM-IV

in DSM-JV The specific disorders. of the

can

present

certain

difficulties. memorize ic mental lection

practitioner must criteria for specifImproper recolmay result in

for it. In Table refers to the

criteria

number

of the

misdiagnosis. Mnemonics various segments fession ed dens (1-3). have DSM-IlI-R paper to

have been used by of the medical proMnemonics and

DSM-IV

criterion for the disorder. The numben ofcritemia needed to make the diagnosis is in parentheses after the

it is

for selectdison-

acronym.
References 1.

#{149}

have
resi-

to teach

students
nature

and

previously help

been presents clinicians

described acronyms learn

Iv
vices

the conceptual disorders and the criteria. 48:1197-1198,

to

help

of DSMthem reSer-

( 1,2). This
developed

member

(Psychiatric

1997)

and recollect criteria personality disorders reflect a facet ofthein orders. helpful idents conceptual
48 No. 9

for DSM-IV The acronyms respective dis-

EA, Morse JH, et al: Mnemonics for eight DSM-IlI-R disorders. Hospital and Community Psychiatry 43:642-644, 1992 Reeves
DSM-IV

Short DD, Workman

2.

Di: Pinkofsky is assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Louisiana State University Medical Center, P0. Box 33932, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130. PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES . September
1997 Vol.

These mnemonics have been in teaching students and nesin our teaching program the disor3.

Mental
Wynne clinical 26:23-29,

RB, Bullen JA: Mnemonics disorders. Journal ofNervous Disease 138:556-551, 1995 AG, Fitzpatrick endocrinology. 1991

for ten and

LA: Mnemonics in Hospital Practice

nature

of DSM-IV

1197

Table

1
for recalling the diagnostic criteria

Mnemonics

ofDSM-IV

personality

disorders
Narcissistic personality disorder: fantasies
or

Cluster A personality disorders Paranoid personality disorder: SUSPECT (four criteria) S [7]Spouse fidelity suspected U [5]Unforgiving (bears grudges) S [1]Suspicious of others P [6]Perceives attacks (and reacts quickly) E [2] Enemy or friend (suspects associates and friends) C [3]Confiding in others feared T [4]Threats perceived in benign events
Schizoid personality disorder: DISTANT (four criteria)

SPE1CIAL (of unlimited

(five

criteria) success, pov-

S [3]Special (believes P [2] Preoccupied with

he or she is special

and unique)

er, brilliance,
E [8] Envious

beauty

ideal love)
others are envious of

(of others,

or believes

him or her) E [5]Entitlement

E C I A L [4] Excess [1]

admiration

required

Conceited

(grandiose

sense

of self importance)

[6]Interpersonal
[9]Arrogant
[7]Lacks

exploitation

D I S T A

[7]Detached

(or flattened)

affect

(haughty) empathy

[6}Indifferent to criticism and praise [3]Sexual experiences ofhittle interest [2}Tasks (activities) done solitarily [5]Absence ofclose friends

Cluster C personality Avoidant personality

C

disorders
disorder: CRINGES (four criteria)

N [1}Neither desires T [4lTakes pleasure

nor enjoys close in few activities

relations
R

[2]Certainty (ofbeing liked required get involved with others) [4] Rejection (or criticism) preoccupies social situations
[3]

before

willing

to in

ones thoughts
in intimate relation-

Schizotypal personality disorder: ME PECULIAR M [2]Magical thinking or odd beliefs E [3] Experiences unusual perceptions P [5]Paranoid ideation E [7] Eccentric behavior or appearance C [6]Constricted (or inappropriate) affect

(five criteria)

Intimate
ships due

relationships
to fear ofbeing

(restraint
shamed)

G [1]Gets cant
E

[51 New interpersonal relationships (is inhibited around occupational activity (involving
interpersonal
personal (as

in) signifior

contact)

[7]

Embarrassment

(potential)
risks unappealing,

prevents
inept,
or

new activity
inferior)

U [4]Unusual

(odd) thinking

and speech
S

L [8]Lacks close friends I [1]Ideas of reference A [9]Anxiety in social situations R Rule out psychotic disorders

taking [6]Selfviewed

Dependent
and pervasive developR E [1]

personality disorder: RELIANCE Reassurance (required for decisions)

disagreement difficult (due

(five

criteria)
of loss

mental

disorder

[3]Expressing

to fear

Cluster B personality disorders Antisocial personality disorder:

C [1}Conformity to law lacking

CORRUPT

(three

criteria)
I A

of support or approval) [2}Life responsibilities (needs to have these assumed others) [4ilnitiating projects difficult (due to lack of self-confidence)

by

0
R R U P T

[6]Obhigations

ignored
N
C E

[5]Reckless disregard for safety of self or others [7]Remorse hacking [2lUnderhanded (deceitful, lies, cons others) {3}Planning insufficient (impulsive) [4}Temper (irritable and aggressive)

[6]Alone turance

(feels helpless
(goes

and discomfort
lengths

when

alone)
nururgent-

[5] Nurturance
{7]Companionship ly when close [8]Exaggerated

to excessive

to ol)tain
sought for self

and support)
(another relationship fears ofbeing relationship) ends left to care

Borderline

personality

disorder:
(marked

AM.

SUICIDE

(fIve

criteria)2

A {1]Abandonment M [6] Mood instability

Obsessive-compulsive
reactivity of mood) (four
L

personality
ofactivity (due

disorder:

LA\V

F! RMS
with de-

criteria)
[1}Loses point to preoccupation

S [5}Suicidal U [2}Unstable

I C [8]Control of anger I [3]Identity disturbance D [9}Dissociative (or paranoid)

(or self-mutilating) behavior and intense relationships [4}Impulsivity (in two potentially self-damaging

tail)
areas)
A

w
symptoms
of)

that are transient

[2]Abihity to complete tasks (compromised b perfecionism) [5}Worthless objects (unable to discard) [3]Fniendships (and leisure activities) excluded (due to a
preoccupation with work)
[4]

and stress related

E [7]Emptiness (chronic feelings
I

Inflexible,

scrupulous,

overconscientious

(on ethics,

values, Histrionic
P R A I S E M

or morality,
to delegate

not accounted
(unless others

for by religion
submit

or

personality

disorder:

PRAISE

ME (five criteria)
R [6]

culture)

[2] Provocative (or sexually [8}Relationships (considered [1}Attention (uncomfortable

[7}Lnfluenced easily

seductive) behavior more intimate than they are) when not the center of attention)

Reluctant
guidelines)

to exact

[7]Miserly
[8}Stubbornness

(toward

selfand
(and rigidity)

others)

[5}Style of speech (impressionistic, lacks detail) [3]Emotions (rapidly shifting and shallow) [4]Made up (physical appearance used to draw attention
self)

to

E [6}Emotions
I

exaggerated
refers

(theatrical)
to the number ofthe

The number
acronym.

in brackets
was

DSM-IV

criterion.

The nuniber
ofSt. Elizabeths

ofcriteria Hospital

needed

to make and

the diagnosis provided

is in parentheses by Prakash Masand,

after M.D.,

the of

This mnemonic

adapted
of New

from one developed

York at Syracuse.

by Lily Awad,

M.D.,

in Boston

the State University

1198

PSYCHIATRIC SERVIQIS . September

1997

Vol.

48

No.