Side-by-side review

Compare two specifiers

Find the deciding clinical difference.

Ask this

Is the central pattern “recurring season-linked episode timing” or “mood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth”?

Seasonal pattern

Episodes show a repeated temporal relationship with a particular season and a contrasting pattern at another time of year.

Course and onset

Peripartum onset

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

Course and onset

Clinical focus

ARecurring season-linked episode timing

BMood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth

Time course

ADemonstrated over repeated annual cycles

BDefined by episode onset, not simply current parenting status

Look for

AConsistent onset, remission, or polarity change in relation to season

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

Do not overcall from

AOne winter episode is not a seasonal pattern

BDo not treat all post-birth distress as unipolar depression

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, with seasonal pattern

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Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, with peripartum onset

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 “recurring season-linked episode timing” or “mood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth”?

Seasonal pattern

Episodes show a repeated temporal relationship with a particular season and a contrasting pattern at another time of year.

Course and onset

Peripartum onset

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

Course and onset

Clinical focus

ARecurring season-linked episode timing

BMood-episode onset around pregnancy or birth

Time course

ADemonstrated over repeated annual cycles

BDefined by episode onset, not simply current parenting status

Look for

AConsistent onset, remission, or polarity change in relation to season

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

Do not overcall from

AOne winter episode is not a seasonal pattern

BDo not treat all post-birth distress as unipolar depression

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, with seasonal pattern

Open full guide

Example wording

Major depressive disorder, single episode, with peripartum onset

Open full guide

Browse the map Build diagnostic wording