Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

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Is the central pattern “opposite-pole mood symptoms” or “delusions or hallucinations within a mood episode”?

Mixed features

Clinically meaningful symptoms of the opposite mood pole occur during the predominant mood episode.

Episode features

Psychotic features

Delusions or hallucinations occur during a severe mood episode and require explicit risk and diagnostic review.

Episode features

Clinical focus

AOpposite-pole mood symptoms

BDelusions or hallucinations within a mood episode

Time course

ACo-occur during the predominant mood episode

BMapped directly against mood-episode onset and remission

Look for

ADistinct activation or depressive features from the opposite pole

BConviction, perceptual disturbance, behavioural impact, congruence

Do not overcall from

AIrritability and agitation are not sufficient by themselves

BSevere guilt, rumination, or intrusive thoughts are not automatically psychotic

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with mixed features

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Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, severe with psychotic features

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 “opposite-pole mood symptoms” or “delusions or hallucinations within a mood episode”?

Mixed features

Clinically meaningful symptoms of the opposite mood pole occur during the predominant mood episode.

Episode features

Psychotic features

Delusions or hallucinations occur during a severe mood episode and require explicit risk and diagnostic review.

Episode features

Clinical focus

AOpposite-pole mood symptoms

BDelusions or hallucinations within a mood episode

Time course

ACo-occur during the predominant mood episode

BMapped directly against mood-episode onset and remission

Look for

ADistinct activation or depressive features from the opposite pole

BConviction, perceptual disturbance, behavioural impact, congruence

Do not overcall from

AIrritability and agitation are not sufficient by themselves

BSevere guilt, rumination, or intrusive thoughts are not automatically psychotic

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with mixed features

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, severe with psychotic features

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording