Fear of bridges

This code represents a specific phobia characterized by an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of bridges. Individuals with this condition experience significant anxiety or panic attacks when encountering or anticipating bridges, leading to avoidance behaviors that interfere with daily functioning.

This code is appropriate when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of a specific phobia, specifically targeting bridges (gephyrophobia). The patient's fear must be disproportionate to the actual danger posed by bridges and cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

• Ensure documentation specifies "bridges" as the phobic stimulus, not a general fear of heights or enclosed spaces.
• Distinguish from agoraphobia (F40.00, F40.01) where fear is related to situations from which escape might be difficult or help unavailable, rather than a specific object.
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter.