Psychiatric specifier

In full remission

No significant signs or symptoms of the recent episode remain across a sustained interval.

Severity and remission

Mood disordersPsychotic disorders

What matters now

Applies toMood disorders · Psychotic disorders

Deciding signalFull remission is a longitudinal conclusion, not a single good day or improvement from baseline.

Ask thisAre clinically significant episode symptoms absent, with recovery sustained long enough to support full-remission wording?

Wording outcomeMajor depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remission

Fit and exclusions

Make the specifier earn its place

Start with the deciding signal, then test chronology, competing explanations, and the effect on diagnostic wording.

When this fits

Significant signs and symptoms of the recent episode are no longer present.
Recovery is sustained rather than a brief fluctuation.
Current functioning and risk are consistent with remission, while relapse prevention continues.

When this may not fit

Focused checks

Patient language

Clinical implication

Continue maintenance and relapse-prevention planning; remission does not imply treatment or monitoring is unnecessary.