Adult psychological abuse, suspected, sequela

This code indicates a suspected case of psychological abuse experienced by an adult, where the long-term effects or complications of that abuse are being addressed. It signifies that the abuse is not an acute, ongoing event, but rather its lasting impact is the focus of the current encounter.

Use this code when a healthcare provider suspects an adult patient is presenting with sequelae (e.g., chronic anxiety, depression, PTSD, trust issues) that are believed to stem from past psychological abuse. This is appropriate when the abuse itself is not confirmed, but the suspicion is strong enough to warrant documentation and consideration in treatment planning.

• This "S" seventh character indicates sequela, meaning the residual effects of a past injury or disease.
• Only use this code when the psychological abuse is suspected, not confirmed. For confirmed cases, a different code would be appropriate.
• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela being treated (e.g., F43.10 for PTSD).