F33.2 – Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features

F33.2 diagnosis code: Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features

The F33.2 diagnosis code refers to a major depressive disorder characterized by the following:

• The recurrent nature of depressive episodes means the individual has experienced at least two episodes of depression.
• The severity of the episodes, classified as severe, indicates a substantial impairment in daily functioning.
• The absence of psychotic features, such as hallucinations or delusions, during depressive episodes.

Is F33.2 billable?

Yes, F33.2 is a billable code. It is primarily used to diagnose and treat patients exhibiting symptoms of major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features. As a billable code, it can be used for reimbursement purposes in medical billing and coding.

Clinical information

• Major depressive disorder is a common and disabling mental and behavioral disorder marked by persistent and pervasive low mood, diminished interest or pleasure in daily life, and a range of cognitive and physical symptoms.
• Individuals may experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal ideation. When these depressive symptoms occur on most days for at least two weeks and significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning, a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may be considered.
• In recurrent major depressive disorder, individuals experience multiple major depressive episodes over time, with periods of remission between episodes. These recurrent episodes may become more severe or frequent, with the current episode potentially presenting with severe symptoms such as marked functional impairment or psychotic symptoms, including delusions or hallucinations.
• The presence of psychotic symptoms indicates a current episode severe with psychotic features, requiring careful diagnostic assessment and specialized treatment.
• Some individuals may also experience persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia), which involves chronic depression lasting for at least two years. This form of depression often includes depressed mood and other depressive symptoms that may not be as intense as major depressive episodes but still significantly affect daily life.
• Patients with persistent depressive disorder may also experience previous episodes of major depression, complicating the clinical picture.
• The course of recurrent depression varies, and without appropriate treatment, recurrent severe episodes can become more debilitating over time. A comprehensive management plan, which may include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle interventions, is essential for addressing the disorder and improving quality of life.

Synonyms include

• Recurrent major depression, severe
• Severe recurrent depressive disorder
• Major depression, recurrent, severe
• Severe recurrent major depression
• Recurrent severe depressive episode
• Depressive disorder current episode
• Severe depression

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for depression

• F32.0: Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
• F32.1: Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
• F32.2: Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features
• F32.3: Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features
• F33.0: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild
• F33.1: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
• F33.3: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptoms
• F33.4: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission
• F34.1: Dysthymic disorder
• F32.9: Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified