Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP): what it is
The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) is a validated daily symptom chart used to diagnose PMS and PMDD. Each evening you rate 21 symptoms and 3 measures of impact on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 6 (extreme). Kept for at least two cycles, it shows whether symptoms reliably rise before periods and clear afterward.
What the DRSP measures
The chart follows the symptoms in the DSM-5 criteria for PMDD, grouped into mood, physical and functional items:
- Mood: depressed or hopeless, anxious, mood swings, rejection sensitivity, anger or irritability, conflicts
- Thinking and energy: less interest, poor concentration, tiredness, feeling overwhelmed or out of control
- Body: appetite or cravings, sleep changes, breast tenderness, bloating, headache, joint or muscle pain
- Impact: effect on work or school, hobbies and relationships
Why doctors ask for it
Memory is unreliable: looking back, it's easy to blur weeks together. Daily ratings show the pattern clearly. A PMDD diagnosis needs symptoms in most cycles over the past year that are severe in the week before menses, improve within a few days of bleeding and are minimal in the week after. The DRSP also helps tell PMDD apart from premenstrual exacerbation, where an ongoing condition simply gets worse before periods.
| Pattern on the chart | May suggest |
|---|---|
| High scores in the late luteal week, near 1 after the period | PMS or PMDD |
| High scores all month, higher before periods | PME of another condition |
| No link to the cycle | a cause unrelated to hormones |
Tips for filling it in
- Rate each evening, about the whole day.
- Mark period days clearly.
- Keep going for at least two full cycles.
- Bring the printouts or export to your appointment.
You can also try our PMDD self-check or the PMS symptom diary.
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out now: call your local emergency number, or in the US call or text 988. In the UK, Samaritans are on 116 123.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DRSP free to use?
Yes. It was developed by Jean Endicott and colleagues and is widely available for clinical use.
Can a period app replace the DRSP?
An app can show the same pattern in a lighter way, which is a great start. Your doctor may still ask for the formal chart.
Sources
- Endicott J et al. Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP): reliability and validity. Arch Womens Ment Health (2006)
- ACOG: Management of premenstrual disorders (Clinical Practice Guideline 7)
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
PMDD: premenstrual dysphoric disorder, explained kindlyPMDD is a severe, cyclical mood condition tied to your period. What it is, why it happens, how it's diagnosed, what treatment helps, and where to get support.PMDD test: a self-check before you talk to a doctorFree PMDD test: check your premenstrual symptoms against the pattern doctors look for, then learn how a real PMDD diagnosis works and what to bring.How do I know if I have PMDD?How do I know if I have PMDD? The pattern doctors look for, the symptoms that count, why 2 cycles of daily tracking matter, and how to ask for help.What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a severe, cyclical mood condition in the week or two before a period. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
PMS symptom diary: what to track for your doctorHow to keep a PMS symptom diary doctors can use: the daily items, the 1 to 6 rating scale, how long to track, and how to read the chart before your visit.