Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild

This code signifies a mood disorder characterized by repeated episodes of depression, where the current episode is mild in severity. Patients experience symptoms such as depressed mood, anhedonia, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness, but with minimal functional impairment.

Apply this code when a patient has a documented history of at least one prior major depressive episode and is currently experiencing a mild depressive episode. Documentation should clearly state "recurrent" and specify the current episode's severity as "mild," often supported by a low score on a depression severity scale (e.g., PHQ-9).

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "recurrent" and "mild" for the current episode; otherwise, a different severity or single episode code may be more appropriate.
• Distinguish from F32.0 (Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild) by verifying a history of previous depressive episodes.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the main reason for the encounter, unless another condition is clearly the focus of treatment.