162 Depressive Disorders
Coding and Recording Procedures
The diagnostic code for major depressive disorder is based on whether this is a single or
recurrent episode, current severity, presence of psychotic features, and remission status.
Current severity and psychotic features are only indicated if full criteria are currently met
for a major depressive episode. Remission specifiers are only indicated if the full criteria
are not currently met for a major depressive episode. Codes are as follows: 
In recording the name of a diagnosis, terms should be listed in the following order: major
depressive disorder, single or recurrent epis ode, severity/psychotic/remission specifiers,
followed by as many of the following specifiers without codes that apply to the current
episode.
Specify:
With anxious distress (p. 184)
With mixed features (pp. 184–185)
With melancholic features (p. 185)
With atypical features  (pp. 185–186)
With mood-congruent psychotic features (p. 186)
With mood-incongruen t psychotic features  (p. 186)
With catatonia  (p. 186). Coding note:  Use additional code 293.89 (F06.1).
With peripartum onset  (pp. 186–187)
With seasonal pattern (recurrent episode only) (pp. 187–188)
Diagnostic Features 
The criterion symptoms for majo r depressive disorder must be  present nearly every day to
be considered present, with the exception of  weight change and suicidal ideation. De-
pressed mood must be present for most of the day, in addition to being present nearly ev-
ery day. Often insomnia or fatigue is the presenting complaint, and failure to probe for
accompanying depressive symptoms will result in underdiagnosis. Sadness may be de-