Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

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Is the central pattern “mood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth” or “opposite-pole mood symptoms”?

Peripartum onset

A mood episode begins during pregnancy or in the period soon after birth.

Course and onset

Mixed features

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

Episode features

Clinical focus

AMood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth

BOpposite-pole mood symptoms

Time course

ADefined by episode onset, not simply current parenting status

BCo-occur during the predominant mood episode

Look for

AOnset timing, bipolar indicators, psychosis, sleep loss, safety and support

BDistinct activation or depressive features from the opposite pole

Do not overcall from

ADo not treat all post-birth distress as unipolar depression

BIrritability and agitation are not sufficient by themselves

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, with peripartum onset

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Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with mixed 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 “mood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth” or “opposite-pole mood symptoms”?

Peripartum onset

A mood episode begins during pregnancy or in the period soon after birth.

Course and onset

Mixed features

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

Episode features

Clinical focus

AMood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth

BOpposite-pole mood symptoms

Time course

ADefined by episode onset, not simply current parenting status

BCo-occur during the predominant mood episode

Look for

AOnset timing, bipolar indicators, psychosis, sleep loss, safety and support

BDistinct activation or depressive features from the opposite pole

Do not overcall from

ADo not treat all post-birth distress as unipolar depression

BIrritability and agitation are not sufficient by themselves

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, with peripartum onset

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, current episode, with mixed features

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording