Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood (F93)
F93 codes categorize emotional disorders that specifically begin in childhood, addressing unique mental health challenges during early development. These codes cover conditions such as separation anxiety, other specified emotional disorders, and unspecified childhood emotional issues.
The ICD-10 code for separation anxiety disorder of childhood (F93.0) identifies fears and distress related to being apart from caregivers, often labeled as separation anxiety or anxiety disorder of childhood or adolescence. Beyond this, F93.8 encompasses other childhood emotional disorders including generalized anxiety, overanxious disorders, and various emotional sensitivities characterized by terms like personal relationship breakdown or childhood fearfulness. For cases where a specific diagnosis is unclear, F93.9 covers unspecified childhood emotional disorders, including presentations like elective mutism or disturbances related to speaking. These codes help healthcare professionals document and treat emotional disturbances unique to childhood, aiding clear communication in clinical and billing contexts.
Mental and behavioural disorders (F01–F99)
Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence (F90-F98)
F93 Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood
- F93.0 Separation anxiety disorder of childhood
- F93.8 Other childhood emotional disorders
- F93.9 Childhood emotional disorder, unspecified
Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood (F93)
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Uncontrolled anxiety or excessive worry that exceeds the realistic scope of life situations and endures for at least a month or longer.
Patient Health Questionnaire
A self-administered version of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD), a diagnostic tool containing modules on multiple mental health disorders including anxiety, alcohol, eating, and somatoform modules. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is designed specifically for mood/depression scoring each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria based on the mood module from the original PRIME-MD. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) scores 7 common anxiety symptoms.
