Which specifier indicates psychotic features that align with the mood state?

Which specifier indicates psychotic features that align with the mood state?

• A. With mood-incongruent psychotic features
• B. With mood-congruent psychotic features
• C. With catatonia
• D. With seasonal pattern

Answer: (B)

Psychotic features that appear during a mood episode can either align with the mood or not. When the delusions or hallucinations fit the mood—such as depressive themes like guilt or worthlessness during a depressive episode, or grandiose beliefs during mania—they’re called mood-congruent psychotic features. This alignment signals that the psychosis is tied to the mood disorder rather than representing a separate psychotic illness. If the psychotic content doesn't fit the mood—like paranoid or bizarre delusions that run counter to whether the person is depressed or manic—that’s mood-incongruent psychotic features and can suggest a different diagnostic picture, such as a primary psychotic disorder or schizoaffective condition. Other options refer to features not about how psychosis relates to mood: catatonia involves motor symptoms, and seasonal pattern describes the timing of mood episodes.

Psychotic features that appear during a mood episode can either align with the mood or not. When the delusions or hallucinations fit the mood—such as depressive themes like guilt or worthlessness during a depressive episode, or grandiose beliefs during mania—they’re called mood-congruent psychotic features. This alignment signals that the psychosis is tied to the mood disorder rather than representing a separate psychotic illness.

If the psychotic content doesn't fit the mood—like paranoid or bizarre delusions that run counter to whether the person is depressed or manic—that’s mood-incongruent psychotic features and can suggest a different diagnostic picture, such as a primary psychotic disorder or schizoaffective condition.

Other options refer to features not about how psychosis relates to mood: catatonia involves motor symptoms, and seasonal pattern describes the timing of mood episodes.