Psychiatric specifier

In 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

Mood disordersPsychotic disorders

What matters now

Applies toMood disorders · Psychotic disorders

Deciding signalThe person is better but not symptom-free, or recovery is too recent to call full remission.

Ask thisHas the episode clearly receded while residual symptoms or insufficient duration prevent full-remission wording?

Wording outcomeMajor depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial 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

Full criteria are no longer met or there has been substantial improvement.
Residual symptoms remain clinically meaningful, or the improved interval is not yet sustained.
Function and risk have improved but still require active follow-up.

When this may not fit

The person still meets full current-episode criteria.
No significant symptoms remain and the recovery interval supports full-remission wording.

Focused checks

Patient language

Clinical implication

Target residual symptoms and relapse prevention; partial recovery can still carry substantial recurrence risk.