Pattern and course
Onset, duration, frequency, severity, episode pattern and change from the person’s usual functioning.
ICD-11 DISORDER FAMILY
Mood Disorders: ICD-11 Guide
Depressive and bipolar disorders characterised by episodes or enduring patterns of altered mood and related changes in energy, activity, cognition and functioning.
Reviewed 24 August 2026
Direct answer
Depressive and bipolar disorders characterised by episodes or enduring patterns of altered mood and related changes in energy, activity, cognition and functioning. Duration, episode history, elevated mood and functional change matter; distress alone is not sufficient. A diagnosis is assigned only after a qualified assessment establishes the required pattern and considers exclusions, culture, development, physical health, medicines and substances.
Conditions and qualifiers in this family
- Single episode depressive disorder
- Recurrent depressive disorder
- Dysthymic disorder
- Mixed depressive and anxiety disorder
- Bipolar type I disorder
- Bipolar type II disorder
- Cyclothymic disorder
This is a reader-friendly family map, not a substitute for the current WHO coding browser. “Other specified” and “unspecified” residual categories, course qualifiers and extension codes are not presented as self-assessment options.
Detailed condition guides
Single Episode Depressive Disorder in ICD-11One depressive episode involving persistent depressed mood or reduced interest together with additional cognitive, behavioural or physical symptoms.Recurrent Depressive Disorder in ICD-11Repeated depressive episodes separated by periods that do not meet episode requirements.Dysthymic Disorder in ICD-11A persistent depressive mood pattern lasting much longer than a typical single episode and associated with reduced functioning.Bipolar Type I Disorder in ICD-11A disorder defined by at least one manic or mixed episode, usually with major changes in energy, activity, judgement and functioning.Bipolar Type II Disorder in ICD-11A pattern of hypomanic and depressive episodes without a history of mania.Cyclothymic Disorder in ICD-11A persistent fluctuating mood pattern with hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not consistently meet full episode requirements.
What a professional assessment considers
Context and alternatives
Development, culture, trauma, physical illness, sleep, medicines, substances and overlapping disorders.
Impact and need
Distress, daily functioning, strengths, support, safeguarding and immediate or longer-term risk.
What the classification can and cannot do
ICD-11 gives health systems a shared language for clinical communication, service planning and health statistics. It can help a professional organise a complex presentation and consider recognised boundaries between conditions. It does not explain the whole person, determine prognosis, select one treatment automatically or replace an individual formulation.
People may have features from more than one family, meet requirements for more than one disorder, or experience clinically important symptoms without meeting a disorder threshold. A responsible assessment records uncertainty and reviews the formulation when new evidence appears.
Support in a UK pathway
The appropriate route depends on age, severity, urgency, physical health, safeguarding and local commissioning. It may begin with a GP, NHS Talking Therapies or a specialist mental-health, neurodevelopmental, eating-disorder, substance-use, perinatal, neurology or memory service. Independent assessment should use appropriately qualified professionals, clear consent, transparent fees and a plan for communication with NHS care where necessary.
Related ICD-11 families
Official WHO sources
Scope, safety and urgent help
iMetaWellness provides complementary wellbeing information and reflective support. It does not diagnose a mental disorder, select investigations, interpret results as a medical opinion, prescribe treatment or replace a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, pharmacist or NHS service. A test is useful only when a qualified professional has a clear question and a plan for acting on the result.
If someone may act on suicidal thoughts, cannot remain safe, has severe confusion, new psychosis, collapse, seizure, chest pain or another immediate danger, call 999 or attend A&E. For urgent concerns that are not immediately life-threatening, contact NHS 111, the person’s GP, mental-health team or local crisis service.
Use this information in a responsible next step
We can help you organise observations, questions, routines and a concise summary for an appropriate professional. We do not order tests or confirm diagnoses.