Which specifier refers to mood episodes occurring at specific times of the year?

Which specifier refers to mood episodes occurring at specific times of the year?

• A. With rapid cycling
• B. With melancholic features
• C. With peripartum onset
• D. With seasonal pattern

Answer: (D)

The seasonal pattern specifier describes mood episodes that occur at specific times of the year. Patients with this pattern typically have episodes that start in the same season each year and remit when that season ends—most commonly depressive episodes beginning in fall or winter and improving in spring or summer. This can apply to recurrent major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, guiding treatment like timed light exposure and maintaining regular schedules to manage season-related changes. The other options reflect different ideas: rapid cycling means four or more mood episodes in a year regardless of seasons; melancholic features refer to a particular depressive symptom profile (such as profound anhedonia and pervasive sleep disturbance); and peripartum onset refers to onset during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.

The seasonal pattern specifier describes mood episodes that occur at specific times of the year. Patients with this pattern typically have episodes that start in the same season each year and remit when that season ends—most commonly depressive episodes beginning in fall or winter and improving in spring or summer. This can apply to recurrent major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, guiding treatment like timed light exposure and maintaining regular schedules to manage season-related changes.

The other options reflect different ideas: rapid cycling means four or more mood episodes in a year regardless of seasons; melancholic features refer to a particular depressive symptom profile (such as profound anhedonia and pervasive sleep disturbance); and peripartum onset refers to onset during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.