2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R45.2Unhappiness
ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R45
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
R45.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unhappiness. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as feeling despair. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Symptoms of mental and substance use conditions.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Feeling despair
- Feeling unhappy
- Improved mood
- Persistent sadness
- Reduced level of persistent sadness
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Unhappiness - R45.2
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Unhappiness
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Convert R45.2 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About R45.2Overview
Is R45.2 (Symptoms and signs involving emotional state) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unhappiness on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Can R45.2 be a principal diagnosis?
Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the unhappiness is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R45.2?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unhappiness converts to ICD-9-CM 300.9 (nonpsychotic disord NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
