By
Alan J. Lerner

2006

The word diagnosis derives from the Greek words of dia-, “thoroughly” and -gnosis, “to come to know.” Criterion is from the Greek krinein, meaning “to judge” or “to separate.” Therefore, literally, diagnostic criteria are a metaprocess of judging the judgment. What these words do not convey is the emotion associated with the process of diagnosis, or the feelings of both patient and physician associated with the diagnosis, or the inability to reach a clinical conclusion based on signs and symptoms.