The evaluation and success of our efforts to prevent, detect, and treat mental illness depend on the assessment of psychopathology. Almost all psychiatric assessments consist of asking questions, through questionnaires or interviews, about behaviors and experiences. We either ask the person being assessed or someone who knows them well. Based on the answers, we diagnose, recommend treatment, and monitor outcome. Regardless of who is reporting, overreporting and underreporting are common. People may overreport or underreport on purpose when they are hoping for benefits associated with a diagnosis (eg, educational support, time off work, or access to medication), or fearing the consequences of diagnosis, including stigma or adverse effects of medication. Beliefs about mental illness not being real, concerns about privacy, health insurance cost, and implications for custody of children are also reasons for underreporting.

我们对预防，发现和治疗精神疾病的努力的评估和成功取决于对精神病理学的评估。几乎所有的精神病学评估都包括通过问卷或访谈来询问有关行为和经历的问题。我们要么问被评估的人，要么对他很了解的人。根据答案，我们诊断，建议治疗并监测结果。无论是谁举报，都经常报告过多和漏报。当人们希望获得与诊断相关的收益（例如，教育支持，休息时间或获得药物治疗），或担心诊断的后果，包括污名或药物不良影响时，可能会故意过高或过低地报告。关于精神疾病的说法不是真实的，对隐私，健康保险费用的担忧，