DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria summary
Bipolar I Disorder requires at least one manic episode in lifetime. A manic episode requires:
- A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood AND abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required) and present most of the day, nearly every day.
- Three or more of the following (four if mood is only irritable):
- Decreased need for sleep
- More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
- Flight of ideas or subjective racing thoughts
- Distractibility
- Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
- Excessive involvement in activities with high potential for painful consequences
- Not attributable to a substance or another medical condition. (Antidepressant-induced mania that persists beyond physiological effect counts.)
The fifth-character codes specify current state: F31.0 hypomanic, F31.1 manic without psychotic features, F31.2 manic with psychotic features, F31.3 mild-to-moderate depressed, F31.4 severe depressed without psychotic features, F31.5 severe depressed with psychotic features, F31.81 Bipolar II, F31.9 unspecified.
Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), p. 139–157.
Differential diagnosis
- Bipolar II Disorder (F31.81), hypomanic episodes (≥4 days, less impairment) without ever meeting full mania criteria.
- Major Depressive Disorder (F33, F32), distinguishing factor is presence/absence of any lifetime manic or hypomanic episode.
- Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar (F19.x), stimulants, corticosteroids; antidepressant-induced mania persisting beyond pharmacologic effect remains coded as bipolar.
- Bipolar Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition (F06.3x), hyperthyroidism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disease.
- ADHD (F90.x), chronic, non-episodic; manic-like distractibility and motor restlessness can confuse, especially in pediatric presentations.
- Borderline Personality Disorder (F60.3), affective instability is brief (hours-to-days) and reactive, vs episodic with sustained mood elevation.
Common comorbidities
Bipolar I has very high lifetime comorbidity. Common co-occurring conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1), Panic Disorder (F41.0), Substance Use Disorders (F10–F19, especially alcohol), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (F90.x), Eating Disorders (F50.x). Co-administer PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT, and (where indicated) ASRS alongside the MDQ.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), F31.1, p. 139–157.
- Hirschfeld, R. M., et al. (2000). Development and validation of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(11), 1873–1875.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines.