Re-thinking the diagnostic hierarchy in psychiatry.

Harland, Robert; Phillips-Owen, Jacqueline; Conlan, Lisa; Owen, Gareth S · Br J Psychiatry · 2026

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Abstract

There has been much recent debate about diagnosis in neurodevelopmental disorders, both within and outside of psychiatry. Using the examples of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, we argue for the virtues of the clinical diagnostic hierarchy to improve formulation and make better decisions about treatment.