The Three Feature-Specifiers for Mood Episodes & Disorders

Copyright February 2003 by John T. Tennison, MD  All rights reserved.

 

Catatonic

Melancholic

Atypical

(specifier of exclusion:  cannot meet criteria for Catatonic or Melancholic features.)

 

Can apply to:

Major Depressive Episode,

Manic Episode, or

Mixed Episode

Can apply to:

Major Depressive Episode

Can apply to:

Major Depressive Episode or

Dysthymic Disorder

 

 

ONE OR MORE (=>1/2)

REQUIRED

1

 

Lack of Mood Reactivity

(cannot respond to positive events)

Mood Reactivity

(can respond to positive events.)

2

 

Loss of pleasure in all or almost all activities.

 

 

TWO OR MORE (=>2/5):

THREE OR MORE (=>3/6):

TWO OR MORE (=>2/4):

1

Motoric immobility with catalepsy or stupor

Distinct quality of depressed mood unlike grief by death of love one.

Weight Gain or increase in appetite

2

Excessive purposeless motor activity

Depression usually worse in the morning.

Hypersomnia

3

Extreme negativism or mutism

Early morning awakening.

Leaden Paralysis:  heavy feeling in arms or legs

4

Peculiarities of voluntary movement – posturing, stereotyped movements, mannerisms, or grimacing

Psychomotor retardation or agitation.

Interpersonal Rejection Sensitivity (not just during mood episode)

5

Echolalia or echopraxia

Anorexia or weight loss

 

6

 

Guilt – excessive or inappropriate

 

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