Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood

This code signifies an emotional or behavioral reaction to an identifiable stressor that develops within three months of the stressor's onset. The patient experiences both anxious symptoms (e.g., nervousness, worry) and depressive symptoms (e.g., low mood, anhedonia) that are clinically significant but do not meet criteria for a full-blown anxiety or depressive disorder. The symptoms cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Apply this code when documentation indicates a patient is experiencing a maladaptive response to a psychosocial stressor, presenting with a combination of anxiety and depressive features. This is appropriate when the symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a major depressive episode or a specific anxiety disorder, and they resolve within six months after the stressor or its consequences have terminated. Documentation should clearly identify the stressor and the mixed symptom presentation.

• Ensure the documentation specifies both anxiety and depressive features; otherwise, consider other adjustment disorder codes.
• Distinguish from major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder; symptoms for this code are typically less severe and directly linked to a stressor.
• Always sequence this code after any physical conditions or injuries that may be the precipitating stressor.