Misdiagnosis can occur if the principles of diagnosis are not adhered to. Anyone can make a diagnosis, but not all diagnoses are correct.
Risk factors for misdiagnosis:
(1) incomplete or incorrect information
(2) not being objective, including bias
(3) not considering all alternative diagnoses, especially if rare or unfamiliar
(4) ignoring inconsistencies
(5) failure to explain key findings
(6) impulsiveness and lack of discipline
(7) use of invalid or inappropriate criteria
(8) failure to question
(9) more than one disorder
(10) rare or atypical presentation
