diagnosis creep
/ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs ˌkriːp/nounUnverifiedThe gradual widening of a diagnostic category until it absorbs ordinary, overwhelming experiences.
A category created for severe cases edges outward: first the acute, then the common, then the universal. Each widening has its reasons; the sum is that a label built to name the exception quietly names the norm. Diagnosis creep is the medicalization process observed one boundary at a time.
Etym. — diagnosis + creep, following 'mission creep': expansion that is individually reasonable and collectively unexamined.
Novelty check: UNVERIFIED · checked 2026-10-31
Web search was unreachable or blocked, so novelty could not be established.
Evidence log
| Query | Results checked | Same-sense matches |
|---|---|---|
| "diagnosis creep" | 0 | 0 |
| "diagnosis creep" meaning | 0 | 0 |
| "diagnosis creep" definition | 0 | 0 |
Method: quoted exact-match web search + dictionary lookup (dictionaryapi.dev)