The aim of this paper is to critically discuss whether different historical and cultural diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia have social and treatment implications. This paper also discusses what it means to have the diagnosis of schizophrenia and to what psychologists may gain from individuals having these diagnoses; the essay in particular discusses monetary gain for the National Health Service and government or power. Possible faults of diagnosing schizophrenia using just biological and psychological precursors due to reliability are also critically debated in an attempt to discuss the implications of this diagnosis. Furthermore, this piece of work discusses that over time as the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia changes, more people could be diagnosed. It also highlights how culture can affect diagnostic criteria; such as the fact you can be diagnosed with the condition in one culture and not have that diagnosis in another culture. After looking at the literature it appeared that the changes to the criteria does in fact have serious implications for individuals. A conclusion was drawn before suggestions for further research was made in terms ways to get a better insight into the implications when diagnosed with a condition such as schizophrenia