[Multiple, 'false positive' diagnoses in patients with severe mental illness; interference-effect between different diagnostic models].
BACKGROUND
On the basis of clinical experience the author of the essay asserts that the medical files of patients with severe mental illness quite often show multiple psychiatric dsm diagnoses. Overdiagnosing in the form of multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses confuses patients (who then, for instance, ask: 'Do I have autism or schizophrenia?'), facilitating incorrect treatment indications and possibly leading to stigmatisation. The fact that dimensional diagnostic models have emerged and now co-exist with the dsm cagetorical diagnostic model, can be seen as a risk factor for multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses.


OBJECTIVE
To obtain insight into the mechanisms that support the hypothesis that dimensional diagnosis increases the risk of multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses.


METHODS
On the basis of a clinical scientific analysis of the principles and application of dsm categorical and dimensional diagnosis, the author addresses factors that support the hypothesis that dimensional diagnosis increases the risk of multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses.


RESULTS
The application of the principles of dimensional diagnosis to the dsm categorical diagnostic model increases the risk of multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
To prevent multiple, false positive dsm diagnoses, it is of crucial importance that the principles of dimensional diagnosis are not applied to the dsm categorical diagnostic model.
J P
JP
Glaser
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011594:Psychometrics