Underdiagnosis/Overdiagnosis

Timothy M. Osberg

Assessment and diagnosis of an individual's problems and concerns represent important precursors to effective counseling. In order to help someone, the counselor must formulate an accurate appraisal of the problems to be targeted in the counseling process. Using diagnostic interviews and psychological tests, mental health professionals hope to develop an accurate diagnosis of the client, to be followed by the application of the appropriate intervention. However, both clinicians and the tests they rely on to render a diagnosis are less than perfect, and the potential to under- or overdiagnose psychological conditions remains. When a clinician or test fails to diagnose a condition when it exists, ...

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