HISTORY TAKING IN

NEUROLOGY

History taking is a diagnostic

instrument
Indicating the site and the nature of
the lesion
Doctor-patient relationship built on
trust
The secret of good history- taking is to
be a good listener

Principles of History taking in

Neurology

Patient identity
Age, gender, status, ras, ethnic

History of present illness

History of past illness
Family history
Social, Habits

HISTORY OF PRESENT
ILLNESS

Patients descriptions of the complaint

Temporal course of the symptoms
suddenly, gradually, or after a specific

inducing event
acute, subacute, chronic

Characterization of the symptoms

constant, increasing, decreasing,

fluctuating
ameliorating/aggravating factors
medication

Accompanying symptoms
Past medical history
Past illness
Current medication

Family History
Social History/Life Habits
Alcohol and tobacco
Toxic environmental

Mnemonic for the differential diagnosis

of neurologic disorders:

V vascular
I infectious
T traumatic
A autoimmune
M metabolic/ toxic
I iatrogenic/ hereditary, idiopathic
N neoplastic
D degenerative