Prolonged grief disorder

This code represents a persistent and pervasive grief response following the death of a loved one, characterized by intense yearning, preoccupation with the deceased, and significant functional impairment that extends beyond 12 months for adults (6 months for children/adolescents) after the loss. The grief reaction is disproportionate to cultural, religious, or age-appropriate norms and causes clinically significant distress.

This code is appropriate when a patient presents with symptoms meeting the diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder, as outlined in the DSM-5-TR. Documentation should clearly indicate the duration of symptoms exceeding the typical grief period and the associated functional impairment. It should be used when the clinician has formally diagnosed this specific condition.

• Differentiate from normal bereavement (Z63.4) or other depressive disorders, as prolonged grief disorder has distinct diagnostic criteria.
• Ensure documentation specifies the duration of symptoms and the functional impairment to support the diagnosis.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the focus of the encounter, especially for mental health services.