Depersonalization-derealization syndrome

This code represents a dissociative disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one's own body or mental processes (depersonalization), or from one's surroundings (derealization). Individuals may describe feeling like an observer of their own life, or that the world around them is unreal, dreamlike, or distorted. These experiences cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of depersonalization-derealization syndrome, where the primary symptom involves persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both. The patient's medical record should detail the nature of these dissociative experiences, their duration, and the resulting functional impairment. This diagnosis is typically made by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

• Ensure documentation specifies "syndrome" to differentiate from transient or situational dissociative experiences.
• Do not code if the symptoms are better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, panic disorder) or substance use.
• Review for any co-occurring mental health conditions that may also require coding, such as anxiety or depression.