Clinical diagnosis is the process by which a healthcare professional identifies a disease or condition based on a patient's symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. This process often involves gathering objective information through tests, imaging studies, and laboratory results to support the diagnosis. Once the information is collected, the clinician analyzes it to determine the most likely cause of the patient's issues. This may involve comparing the findings to established criteria or guidelines related to specific conditions, such as those outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Classification of Diseases.