Value of the concept symptom in clinical psychiatry (professional reflection experience)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept symptom in clinical psychiatry. It is noted that in the modern domestic psychiatry the concept symptom became to occupy secondary place. The paper gives an operational definition of the symptom and phenomenon as concepts, their similarities and principle differences. The logical steps of diagnostic thought of a psychiatrist are described as follows: phenomenon - symptom - symptom complex - syndrome - nosology. The focus of the issue is on structural-logical transformation of the phenomenon by physician as a subjective experience of the patient, into medical sign of the illness - symptom. The process of distinguishing the symptom is defined as a component of internal picture of the diagnosis in a psychiatrist. The diagnostic value of the symptom was evidenced by examples from the world psychiatry.