Excessive crying of child, adolescent or adult

This code signifies persistent or unusually frequent crying in individuals beyond infancy, encompassing children, adolescents, and adults. It describes a symptom of emotional distress or an underlying medical condition, rather than a primary diagnosis itself.

Apply this code when documentation indicates excessive crying in a patient who is no longer an infant. This symptom may be observed in various psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety), neurological disorders, or as a response to pain or stress. Ensure the medical record clearly specifies the patient's age and the nature of the crying as "excessive."

• Do not use for infants (patients under 1 year of age); refer to R68.11 for excessive infant crying.
• Always code this as a secondary diagnosis when an underlying cause (e.g., major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder) is identified and documented.
• Documentation should specify "excessive crying" or similar terminology to support code assignment.