Post-traumatic stress disorder, acute

This code signifies a mental health condition characterized by the development of severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance behaviors following exposure to a traumatic event. The "acute" specifier indicates that these symptoms have been present for less than three months since the traumatic incident.

Apply this code when a patient presents with clear symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness, and the onset of these symptoms is within three months of the traumatic event. Documentation should clearly identify the traumatic stressor and the duration of symptoms.

• Differentiate from F43.12 (chronic PTSD) based on symptom duration (less than three months for acute).
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states the traumatic event and the acute nature of the symptoms.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.