DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria summary
A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent (F33.x) requires:
- At least one prior major depressive episode separated from the current episode by at least 2 consecutive months without meeting full criteria.
- A current major depressive episode: five or more of nine symptoms during the same 2-week period (depressed mood, anhedonia, weight/appetite change, sleep change, psychomotor change, fatigue, worthlessness/guilt, concentration difficulty, or thoughts of death). At least one symptom must be depressed mood or anhedonia.
- Clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other functioning.
- No history of a manic or hypomanic episode.
- Not better explained by a substance, medication, another medical condition, or another psychotic/depressive disorder.
The fifth digit specifies severity: F33.0 mild, F33.1 moderate, F33.2 severe, F33.3 with psychotic features, F33.40/F33.41/F33.42 in remission.
Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), p. 183–192.
Differential diagnosis
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (F34.1, dysthymia), chronic depressed mood for ≥2 years; can co-occur with MDD ("double depression").
- Bipolar I/II (F31.x), current depressive episode with prior mania or hypomania; coding selection differs significantly.
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood (F43.21), depressive symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor, not meeting full MDE criteria.
- Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder.
- Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition (F06.31, F06.32), hypothyroidism, stroke, Parkinson's, etc.
- Bereavement: DSM-5-TR removed the bereavement exclusion; clinical judgment is required when grief presents alongside MDE criteria.
Common comorbidities
Common co-occurring conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1), Panic Disorder (F41.0), PTSD (F43.10), Substance Use Disorders (F10–F19), and chronic medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pain). Routinely co-administer GAD-7 with PHQ-9 in primary care and behavioral health workflows, see the PHQ-9 vs GAD-7 comparison for choosing between scales when symptoms overlap.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), F33.1, p. 183–192.
- Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines.