Understanding DSM-IV Code 296.90: Mood Disorder NOS

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, referred to as DSM-IV, is a manual of mental health disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. Mental health professions use the DSM-IV to diagnose and treat patients.

Significance

• The DSM-IV diagnostic code that refers to the category Mood Disorder NOS/Unspecified Affective Psychoses is 296.90. Disorders are included in this category when the primary symptom is a problem with mood. This includes extreme experiences of mood outside the realm of normal experience.

Types

• Mood Disorder NOS, or Not Otherwise Specified, refers to a problem with mood that does not fit into a regular diagnostic category. There are an array of mood disorders, including different categories of manic disorders, depressive disorders and bipolar disorders, which have features of both mania and depression.

Considerations

• The code 296.90 Mood Disorder NOS/Unspecified Affective Psychoses is more specifically used when a disorder cannot be put into the categories of Depressive Disorder NOS or Bipolar Disorder NOS. A clinician who is trying to decide between these two categories may find 296.90 Mood Disorder NOS more appropriate.