What is the difference between primary diagnosis and provisional diagnosis?

Answer 1

A primary diagnosis is assigned when the presenting problems meet diagnostic criteria. A provisional diagnosis is assigned when the presenting problems meet some of the criteria for a disorder, but more information is required for a diagnosis to be assigned. An individual can be assigned both primary and provisional diagnoses depending on their presentation. For example, the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder; Cocaine Induced Psychotic Disorder, Onset during Intoxication (provisional), suggests that the client presents with depression and meets the criteria for MDD. In addition, the client appear to be experiencing psychosis as a result of consuming cocaine, however until the effects of cocaine wear off, the clinician does not know if the psychosis is a result of the cocaine, or is present when the substance is not in the body (which then may indicate a psychotic disorder). Therefore a provisional diagnosis is assigned.