Psychiatric specifier

With seasonal pattern

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

Course and onset

Recurrent depressive disorderBipolar disorders

At a glance

Applies to: Recurrent depressive disorder · Bipolar disorders
Deciding signal: The recurring calendar-linked course matters more than the season in which one episode happens.
Ask this: Across years, is there a consistent seasonal onset-and-remission pattern that is not explained by seasonal stressors?
Wording outcome: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, with seasonal pattern

Only the current episode occurred in winter or another season.
The pattern is better explained by recurring work, anniversary, social, or environmental stressors.

Fit and exclusions

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

Episode onset repeatedly aligns with a particular season.
Remission or a switch in mood polarity also follows a recurring seasonal relationship.
Nonseasonal episodes do not dominate the longitudinal history.

Use the longitudinal pattern to support anticipatory monitoring and relapse planning before the usual onset period.

Focus: Recurring season-linked episode timing
Time course: Demonstrated over repeated annual cycles
Look for: Consistent onset, remission, or polarity change in relation to season
Avoid: One winter episode is not a seasonal pattern

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, with seasonal pattern

At a glance

Applies to

Recurrent depressive disorder · Bipolar disorders

Deciding signal

The recurring calendar-linked course matters more than the season in which one episode happens.

Ask this

Across years, is there a consistent seasonal onset-and-remission pattern that is not explained by seasonal stressors?

Wording outcome

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, with seasonal pattern