Psychiatric specifier

With atypical features

Mood reactivity occurs with a characteristic reversed-vegetative or interpersonal sensitivity pattern.

Episode features

Depressive disordersBipolar depressive episodes

What matters now

Applies toDepressive disorders · Bipolar depressive episodes

Deciding signalMood can brighten in response to positive events despite a clinically significant depressive episode.

Ask thisDoes mood reactivity sit alongside a coherent atypical depressive pattern rather than an isolated symptom?

Wording outcomeMajor depressive disorder, current episode, with atypical features

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

Mood shows genuine reactivity to positive events.
The episode includes a compatible pattern such as increased sleep, increased appetite, leaden heaviness, or rejection sensitivity.
The pattern is clinically meaningful and not simply a preference or coping style.

When this may not fit

There is no meaningful mood reactivity.
Sleep or appetite change is better explained by medication, shift work, endocrine illness, or another condition.

Focused checks

Patient language

Clinical implication

Capture the reactive and reversed-vegetative pattern without using “atypical” to mean unusual or mild.