Generalized anxiety disorder

This code represents a chronic anxiety disorder characterized by persistent, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, or finances. Individuals experience significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, often accompanied by physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. The anxiety and worry are not confined to features of another mental disorder.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, meeting the diagnostic criteria for persistent and excessive worry for at least six months, along with associated symptoms. This code is appropriate when the patient's primary concern is pervasive anxiety not attributable to a specific phobia, panic attacks, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Supporting documentation should include a detailed psychiatric evaluation and symptom history.

• Differentiate from other anxiety disorders; ensure the documentation specifies generalized, pervasive worry rather than situation-specific fear or panic.
• Review for co-occurring conditions; this code can be primary or secondary depending on the clinical presentation and other diagnoses.
• Ensure the duration of symptoms (typically at least six months) is either explicitly stated or clearly implied in the clinical notes to support the chronic nature of the condition.