Homicidal ideations

This code represents the presence of thoughts or urges to harm another person. It indicates a significant mental health concern requiring clinical assessment and intervention due to the potential for violence.

Apply this code when a patient explicitly expresses thoughts of harming others, or when a clinician documents a patient's ideation of committing homicide. Documentation should clearly state the presence of homicidal ideations, often identified during a psychiatric evaluation or crisis assessment.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis when a more definitive mental health disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, major depressive disorder with psychotic features) is identified as the underlying cause.
• Do not confuse with aggressive behavior (R45.81) or other symptoms of mental distress; this code specifically denotes ideation of homicide.
• Ensure the medical record clearly supports the presence of homicidal ideations, not just general anger or hostility.