Nervousness

This code represents a state of unease, apprehension, or agitation that is not otherwise specified as a more definitive mental health condition. It describes a subjective feeling of being nervous, often without a clear underlying cause documented as a distinct psychiatric disorder. This is a symptom code, not a diagnosis of a specific mental illness.

Use this code when a patient presents with documented nervousness as a primary complaint or significant symptom, and no more specific psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., anxiety disorder, panic disorder) has been established or ruled out. It is appropriate when the physician's documentation explicitly uses terms like "nervousness" or "feeling nervous" without further diagnostic elaboration.

• Do not use this code if a more specific anxiety disorder (e.g., GAD, panic disorder) is diagnosed; instead, code the specific disorder.
• This code is often used as a secondary diagnosis when nervousness is a symptom of another underlying condition.
• Ensure the medical record clearly documents the patient's complaint of nervousness to support code assignment.