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

At a glance

Applies to: Mood disorders · Psychotic disorders
Deciding signal: The person is better but not symptom-free, or recovery is too recent to call full remission.
Ask this: Has the episode clearly receded while residual symptoms or insufficient duration prevent full-remission wording?
Wording outcome: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission

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

Fit and exclusions

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

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.

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

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission

At a glance

Applies to

Mood disorders · Psychotic disorders

Deciding signal

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

Ask this

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

Wording outcome

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission