Disinhibited attachment disorder of childhood

This code signifies a severe and persistent pattern of abnormally disinhibited social behavior in children, characterized by indiscriminate sociability and a lack of appropriate wariness with unfamiliar adults. It typically arises from extreme neglect or insufficient caregiving during early childhood, leading to a failure to form selective attachments.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a child exhibits overly familiar behavior with strangers, lacks appropriate social boundaries, and readily approaches or interacts with unfamiliar adults without hesitation. This diagnosis requires evidence of a history of severe social neglect or deprivation as the likely etiology.

• Differentiate carefully from Reactive Attachment Disorder (F94.1), which involves inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior.
• Ensure documentation specifies the disinhibited nature of the attachment issues, not just general behavioral problems.
• Review the "Excludes2" notes to avoid miscoding conditions like ADHD or Asperger's, which have distinct clinical presentations.