Anxiety and Depression ICD-10 Codes: Complete Mental Health Coding Guide
- Jan 31, 2025
Anxiety and depression are among the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions. This guide covers ICD-10-CM codes for anxiety disorders (F40-F41), depressive disorders (F32-F33), and related conditions essential for mental health coding.
Quick Reference: Mental Health Code Categories
| Category | Code Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F32 | F32.0-F32.9 | Major depressive disorder, single episode |
| F33 | F33.0-F33.9 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent |
| F34 | F34.0-F34.9 | Persistent mood disorders (dysthymia) |
| F40 | F40.0-F40.9 | Phobic anxiety disorders |
| F41 | F41.0-F41.9 | Other anxiety disorders |
| F43 | F43.0-F43.9 | Reaction to severe stress, adjustment disorders |
Anxiety Disorders (F40-F41)
F41: Other Anxiety Disorders
The F41 category covers non-phobic anxiety disorders.
| Code | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| F41.0 | Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety] | Recurrent panic attacks |
| F41.1 | Generalized anxiety disorder | GAD - persistent worry/anxiety |
| F41.3 | Other mixed anxiety disorders | Mixed anxiety features |
| F41.8 | Other specified anxiety disorders | Anxiety hysteria |
| F41.9 | Anxiety disorder, unspecified | Anxiety NOS |
F41.1: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
F41.1 is the most commonly used anxiety code in primary care and psychiatry.
Clinical criteria:
- Excessive worry and anxiety most days for at least 6 months
- Difficulty controlling worry
- Three or more associated symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance)
Excludes1 (Cannot code together):
F40: Phobic Anxiety Disorders
F40 codes are used for specific phobias and social anxiety.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F40.00 | Agoraphobia, unspecified |
| F40.01 | Agoraphobia with panic disorder |
| F40.02 | Agoraphobia without panic disorder |
| F40.10 | Social phobia, unspecified |
| F40.11 | Social phobia, generalized |
| F40.210 | Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) |
| F40.218 | Other animal type phobia |
| F40.230 | Fear of blood |
| F40.240 | Claustrophobia |
| F40.8 | Other phobic anxiety disorders |
| F40.9 | Phobic anxiety disorder, unspecified |
Depressive Disorders (F32-F34)
F32: Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode
F32 codes are used for the first episode of major depression.
| Code | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| F32.0 | MDD, single episode, mild | Mild symptoms |
| F32.1 | MDD, single episode, moderate | Moderate symptoms |
| F32.2 | MDD, single episode, severe without psychotic features | Severe, no psychosis |
| F32.3 | MDD, single episode, severe with psychotic features | With delusions/hallucinations |
| F32.4 | MDD, single episode, in partial remission | Improving |
| F32.5 | MDD, single episode, in full remission | Fully resolved |
| F32.81 | Premenstrual dysphoric disorder | PMDD |
| F32.89 | Other specified depressive episodes | Atypical depression |
| F32.9 | MDD, single episode, unspecified | Depression NOS |
| F32.A | Depression, unspecified | Most general code |
F33: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent
F33 codes are used when the patient has had more than one depressive episode.
| Code | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| F33.0 | MDD, recurrent, mild | Mild recurrent |
| F33.1 | MDD, recurrent, moderate | Moderate recurrent |
| F33.2 | MDD, recurrent, severe without psychotic features | Severe recurrent |
| F33.3 | MDD, recurrent, severe with psychotic features | With psychosis |
| F33.40 | MDD, recurrent, in remission, unspecified | In remission |
| F33.41 | MDD, recurrent, in partial remission | Partial remission |
| F33.42 | MDD, recurrent, in full remission | Full remission |
| F33.8 | Other recurrent depressive disorders | Other specified |
| F33.9 | MDD, recurrent, unspecified | Recurrent NOS |
F34: Persistent Mood Disorders
F34 codes cover chronic, persistent mood conditions.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F34.0 | Cyclothymic disorder |
| F34.1 | Dysthymic disorder |
| F34.81 | Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder |
| F34.89 | Other specified persistent mood disorders |
| F34.9 | Persistent mood disorder, unspecified |
Adjustment and Stress Disorders (F43)
F43 codes capture reactions to stress, including adjustment disorders.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F43.0 | Acute stress reaction |
| F43.10 | Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified |
| F43.11 | Post-traumatic stress disorder, acute |
| F43.12 | Post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic |
| F43.20 | Adjustment disorder, unspecified |
| F43.21 | Adjustment disorder with depressed mood |
| F43.22 | Adjustment disorder with anxiety |
| F43.23 | Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood |
| F43.24 | Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct |
| F43.25 | Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct |
| F43.29 | Adjustment disorder with other symptoms |
Common Coding Scenarios
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Persistent worry and anxiety affecting daily functioning. Diagnosed with GAD. Started on sertraline.
Code: F41.1 - Generalized anxiety disorder
Use F41.1 when GAD is explicitly diagnosed. For unspecified anxiety, use F41.9.
First Episode Major Depression
New diagnosis of major depressive disorder, moderate severity. First episode. PHQ-9 score 14.
Code: F32.1 - Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
F32 codes are for first or single episodes only. If the patient has any prior depressive episodes, use F33 (recurrent).
Recurrent Depression
History of two prior depressive episodes. Presenting with third episode, moderate severity. Resuming SSRI.
Code: F33.1 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
Provider documentation of prior episodes determines F32 vs F33 — query if unclear.
Comorbid Depression and Anxiety
Recurrent MDD, moderate, with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder. Both conditions actively treated.
Codes:
Both conditions can be coded when both are documented and treated. Sequence based on the encounter focus.
Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
Significant anxiety following job loss 2 months ago. Does not meet criteria for GAD. Symptoms began after stressor.
Code: F43.22 - Adjustment disorder with anxiety
Use adjustment disorder codes when symptoms are a direct reaction to an identifiable stressor and do not meet full criteria for a primary anxiety or mood disorder.
Panic Disorder
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with palpitations, sweating, and fear of dying. Meets criteria for panic disorder.
Code: F41.0 - Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]
For isolated panic attacks not meeting disorder criteria, use F41.9 rather than F41.0.
Chronic PTSD
Chronic PTSD following combat exposure. Symptoms > 3 months. Nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance behavior.
Code: F43.12 - Post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic
Use F43.11 (acute) when symptoms have been present less than 3 months. Use F43.12 (chronic) at 3 months or beyond.
Severity Documentation
Accurate severity coding requires provider documentation:
Mild (F32.0, F33.0):
- Few symptoms beyond minimum required
- Minor functional impairment
- Can usually work/go to school
Moderate (F32.1, F33.1):
- Symptoms and impairment between mild and severe
- Difficulty with daily activities
- Most commonly coded severity
Severe (F32.2, F33.2):
- Many symptoms beyond minimum
- Significant functional impairment
- May be unable to work
With Psychotic Features (F32.3, F33.3):
- Delusions or hallucinations present
- Requires specific documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for anxiety?
F41.9 (Anxiety disorder, unspecified) is the general anxiety code. F41.1 (Generalized anxiety disorder) is more specific when GAD is diagnosed.
What is the ICD-10 code for depression?
F32.9 (Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified) or F33.9 (recurrent, unspecified) are commonly used. F32.A is the most general "Depression, unspecified" code.
When should I use F32 vs F33?
Use F32 codes for a first/single depressive episode. Use F33 codes when the patient has a history of previous depressive episodes (recurrent depression).
Can I code both anxiety and depression?
Yes, if both conditions are documented and treated, you can code both. Sequence based on the focus of the encounter or which condition is primary.
What is the difference between F43.21 and F32?
F43.21 (Adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is used when depression is a reaction to an identifiable stressor and doesn't meet full criteria for major depression. F32 codes are for major depressive disorder meeting full diagnostic criteria.
Is F41.1 billable?
Yes, F41.1 (Generalized anxiety disorder) is a valid billable code for GAD.
How do I code "mixed anxiety and depression"?
If both conditions meet full diagnostic criteria, code both separately. If a mixed presentation is documented without full criteria for either, consider F41.8 (Other specified anxiety disorders) or query the provider for clarification.
Related Resources
- Search anxiety codes
- Search depression codes
- Browse Chapter 5: Mental Disorders
- PTSD codes (F43.1)
- AI Clinical Note Analyzer - Extract mental health codes from clinical notes
Last updated: January 2025. Code data reflects ICD-10-CM 2026 version.