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trashcan diagnosis

By Trisha Torrey, About.com

Updated April 25, 2008

Definition: A trashcan, or fake diagnosis is a diagnosis that is made up by the practitioner in an attempt to give the patient a label for his ailment. This can be a result of a patient pressuring a practitioner who isn't sure what the true diagnosis is, or it can be an attempt to name vague symptoms.
Also Known As: fake diagnosis, faux diagnosis
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