2025 ICD-10-CM code F44
Dissociative and conversion disorders. Includes conversion hysteria, conversion reaction, and hysteria.
Medical necessity for services related to F44 is established by the presence of clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning due to the dissociative or conversion symptoms. The documentation should clearly link the symptoms to the patient's ability to perform daily activities, maintain relationships, and engage in work or school. The chosen treatment approach must be evidence-based and appropriate for the specific dissociative or conversion disorder diagnosed.
Diagnosis and treatment of dissociative and conversion disorders are primarily managed by mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers.Psychiatrists can prescribe medications to address co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression, while psychologists and therapists provide psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients understand and manage their symptoms.Treatment approaches often involve trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other specialized techniques to address the underlying causes and develop coping mechanisms.In cases of conversion disorder with significant functional impairment, other healthcare professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, may be involved in rehabilitation efforts.
In simple words: Dissociative and conversion disorders are mental health conditions where you might feel disconnected from yourself, your memories, or your surroundings. Sometimes, it can feel like you're watching your life from outside your body, or you might have gaps in your memory.Conversion disorder can cause physical symptoms like paralysis or blindness, even though there's no physical problem causing them.These disorders usually happen after a stressful or traumatic event, as a way of coping with difficult experiences.
Dissociative and conversion disorders are mental health conditions that involve disruptions or alterations in consciousness, memory, identity, perception, or behavior. These disorders are often associated with psychological stress or trauma.Conversion disorder specifically manifests with physical symptoms that suggest a neurological condition, but with no underlying medical explanation. Symptoms can vary widely, affecting motor or sensory function, such as paralysis, blindness, seizures, or speech difficulties. Dissociative disorders encompass a broader range of presentations, including amnesia, depersonalization, and dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder).These conditions often involve disruptions in memory, identity, or perception of oneself and the environment.
Example 1: A 25-year-old woman presents with sudden blindness after witnessing a traumatic car accident.Despite extensive ophthalmological examinations, no physical cause for her blindness can be found. Her symptoms are consistent with conversion disorder., A 40-year-old man experiences episodes of amnesia, finding himself in unfamiliar places with no memory of how he got there. He reports a history of childhood abuse, and his symptoms align with dissociative amnesia., A 30-year-old individual exhibits multiple distinct personalities, each with their own names, memories, and behaviors.They report a history of severe childhood trauma, and their presentation meets the criteria for dissociative identity disorder (DID).
Documentation for F44 should include a detailed history of the patient's symptoms, including onset, duration, and characteristics.It's essential to document any precipitating or contributing factors, such as psychological stressors, trauma, or recent significant life events.Mental status examination findings, describing the patient's emotional state, thought processes, and behavior, should be recorded.Any relevant medical evaluations and diagnostic tests, ruling out other potential medical causes for the symptoms, should also be included.The chosen treatment approach and the patient's response to treatment should be documented over time.
- Specialties:Psychiatry, Psychology, Clinical Social Work
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Psychiatric Facility-Partial Hospitalization, Community Mental Health Center, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center,Non-residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home