Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

Ask this

Is the central pattern “current episode burden and impairment” or “incomplete recovery from the most recent episode”?

Mild

Symptoms meet the disorder threshold with limited excess symptoms, distress, and functional impairment.

Severity and remission

Partial remission

The full syndrome has improved, but meaningful symptoms remain or a sustained symptom-free interval has not yet been established.

Severity and remission

Clinical focus

ACurrent episode burden and impairment

BIncomplete recovery from the most recent episode

Time course

ARated for the present episode

BAfter improvement, before sustained full remission

Look for

ASymptom load, intensity, risk, and function

BResidual symptoms, recent recovery, persistent functional impact

Do not overcall from

AFunctioning at work does not automatically mean mild illness

BImprovement alone does not mean the current episode has ended

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild

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Example wording

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording

Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

Ask this

Is the central pattern “current episode burden and impairment” or “incomplete recovery from the most recent episode”?

Mild

Symptoms meet the disorder threshold with limited excess symptoms, distress, and functional impairment.

Severity and remission

Partial remission

The full syndrome has improved, but meaningful symptoms remain or a sustained symptom-free interval has not yet been established.

Severity and remission

Clinical focus

ACurrent episode burden and impairment

BIncomplete recovery from the most recent episode

Time course

ARated for the present episode

BAfter improvement, before sustained full remission

Look for

ASymptom load, intensity, risk, and function

BResidual symptoms, recent recovery, persistent functional impact

Do not overcall from

AFunctioning at work does not automatically mean mild illness

BImprovement alone does not mean the current episode has ended

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording