{"$schema":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/page.schema.json","formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis","path":"/community/assessments-diagnosis","title":"Assessments & Diagnosis","description":"Explore questions about mental health assessments, diagnostic language, and the evaluation process.","family":"Topic community","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"contentCompleteness":"page","sourceUrl":null},"authors":[],"dates":{},"images":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-13688.webp","alt":"An older adult talks with a healthcare professional."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12146.webp","alt":"A woman smiles during a conversation with a counselor.","width":1200,"height":675},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/editorial-247/13411.webp","alt":"A 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Conditions"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/psychiatry","label":"Psychiatry"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/psychology","label":"Psychology"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists","label":"Find care"}],"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community\">Community</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Assessments &amp; Diagnosis</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"topic-community\"><header class=\"community-hero hub-entry-hero\"><div class=\"hub-entry-copy\"><p class=\"community-eyebrow\">Community</p><h1>Assessments &amp; Diagnosis</h1><p>Explore questions about mental health assessments, diagnostic language, and the evaluation process.</p><form id=\"topic-search\" class=\"search-island\" role=\"search\" action=\"/community/assessments-diagnosis\" method=\"get\" aria-label=\"Search Assessments &amp; Diagnosis\"><div class=\"search-field\"><label class=\"visually-hidden\" for=\"topic-query\">Search Assessments &amp; Diagnosis</label><input id=\"topic-query\" name=\"q\" type=\"search\" placeholder=\"Search Assessments &amp; Diagnosis\" maxlength=\"150\" required></div><button class=\"search-button\" type=\"submit\">Search</button></form><div class=\"suggested\" aria-label=\"Topics in this community\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis?topic=Treatment#browse\">Treatment</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis?topic=Diagnosis#browse\">Diagnosis</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis?topic=Stress#browse\">Stress</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/assessments-diagnosis?topic=Communication#browse\">Communication</a></div></div><img class=\"community-hero-image\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-13688.webp\" alt=\"An older adult talks with a healthcare professional.\" loading=\"eager\"></header><nav class=\"community-section-nav\" aria-label=\"On this community page\"><a data-division=\"library\" href=\"#library\">Library</a><a data-division=\"answers\" href=\"#answers\">Conversations</a><a data-division=\"blog\" href=\"#blog\">Perspectives</a></nav><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"library\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Library</h2><p>A place to begin, understand, and go deeper.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/assessments-diagnosis\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12146.webp\" alt=\"A woman smiles during a conversation with a counselor.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/assessments-diagnosis\" title=\"How Mental Disorders are Assessed and Diagnosed\">How Mental Disorders are Assessed and Diagnosed</a></h3><p>Learn how mental health disorders are diagnosed and what to expect during professional assessments and interviews.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnosis-vs-self-diagnosis\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/editorial-247/13411.webp\" alt=\"A healthcare professional listens and takes notes during a consultation.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnosis-vs-self-diagnosis\" title=\"Professional vs. Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health\">Professional vs. Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health</a></h3><p>Discover the importance of professional diagnosis in mental health treatment and how balancing self-advocacy with clinical expertise leads to better outcomes.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/risks-of-self-diagnosis\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/editorial-247/13704.webp\" alt=\"A doctor talks with a person during an appointment.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/risks-of-self-diagnosis\" title=\"The Risks of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health\">The Risks of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health</a></h3><p>Discover the risks of self-diagnosis in mental health and the importance of professional evaluation for accurate treatment.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/dsm-5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"card-photo\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11644.webp\" alt=\"An adult and child work together with colorful learning materials.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/dsm-5\" title=\"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)\">The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)</a></h3><p>Discover how the DSM-5 offers diagnostic criteria for 19 mental disorders, improving treatment accuracy and communication.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"answers\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Conversations</h2><p>Real questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxiety-disorder-vs-personality-disorder-differences\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/anxiety-disorder-vs-personality-disorder-differences-20261003.webp\" alt=\"Hands resting beside a notebook on a kitchen table.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxiety-disorder-vs-personality-disorder-differences\" title=\"How are anxiety disorders different to personality disorders?\">How are anxiety disorders different to personality disorders?</a></h3><p>A parent struggling with anxiety and perfectionism asks how Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) differs from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/5-year-old-behavior-is-it-adhd-or-bipolar-or-both\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/5-year-old-behavior-is-it-adhd-or-bipolar-or-both-20261003.webp\" alt=\"A caregiver and child building with wooden blocks.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/5-year-old-behavior-is-it-adhd-or-bipolar-or-both\" title=\"Is my 5 year old showing signs of ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?\">Is my 5 year old showing signs of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Bipolar Disorder?</a></h3><p>A parent asks whether a five-year-old’s intermittent disruptive behavior at school could indicate Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or bipolar disorder.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"blog\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Perspectives</h2><p>Ideas and experiences that offer another point of view.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/be-careful-about-what-you-read-online\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/be-careful-about-what-you-read-online.webp\" alt=\"An open laptop with softly defocused unreadable web page beside printed papers and a magnifying glass on an oak desk, afternoon light, thoughtful fact-checking concept, over-shoulder angle with no readable text\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Perspective</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/be-careful-about-what-you-read-online\" title=\"Misinformation in the Digital Age\">Misinformation in the Digital Age</a></h3><p>Beware of relying on online articles for personal decisions. They can be misleading and cause unnecessary stress.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/interview-with-richard-shulman-phd\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/interview-with-richard-shulman-phd.webp\" alt=\"An empty therapist's office with a notebook, two inviting oatmeal armchairs, books turned away on shelves and a large leafy plant, refined documentary interior for a psychologist interview, no person impersonation\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Perspective</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/interview-with-richard-shulman-phd\" title=\"Insights from Richard Shulman Ph.D.\">Insights from Richard Shulman Ph.D.</a></h3><p>We prioritize client control and privacy, and rely on donations and grants for funding.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-related\"><h2>Connected communities</h2><div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/mental-health-conditions\">Mental Health Conditions</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/psychiatry\">Psychiatry</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/psychology\">Psychology</a></div></section><section class=\"community-support\"><div><h2>Find support that fits you.</h2><p>Explore people and care options near you.</p></div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists\">Find care</a></section></div>","text":"HomeCommunityAssessments & DiagnosisCommunityAssessments & DiagnosisExplore questions about mental health assessments, diagnostic language, and the evaluation process.Search Assessments & DiagnosisSearchTreatmentDiagnosisStressCommunicationLibraryConversationsPerspectivesLibraryA place to begin, understand, and go deeper.LibraryHow Mental Disorders are Assessed and DiagnosedLearn how mental health disorders are diagnosed and what to expect during professional assessments and interviews.LibraryProfessional vs. Self-Diagnosis in Mental HealthDiscover the importance of professional diagnosis in mental health treatment and how balancing self-advocacy with clinical expertise leads to better outcomes.LibraryThe Risks of Self-Diagnosis in Mental HealthDiscover the risks of self-diagnosis in mental health and the importance of professional evaluation for accurate treatment.LibraryThe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)Discover how the DSM-5 offers diagnostic criteria for 19 mental disorders, improving treatment accuracy and communication.ConversationsReal questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.ConversationHow are anxiety disorders different to personality disorders?A parent struggling with anxiety and perfectionism asks how Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) differs from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.ConversationIs my 5 year old showing signs of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Bipolar Disorder?A parent asks whether a five-year-old’s intermittent disruptive behavior at school could indicate Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or bipolar disorder.PerspectivesIdeas and experiences that offer another point of view.PerspectiveMisinformation in the Digital AgeBeware of relying on online articles for personal decisions. They can be misleading and cause unnecessary stress.PerspectiveInsights from Richard Shulman Ph.D.We prioritize client control and privacy, and rely on donations and grants for funding.Connected communitiesMental Health ConditionsPsychiatryPsychologyFind support that fits you.Explore people and care options near you.Find 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