Hallucinations

This code represents the perception of an object or event in the absence of an external stimulus, which has the compelling sense of reality. Hallucinations can affect any of the five senses (auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, or tactile) and are often associated with various psychiatric or neurological conditions.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates the presence of hallucinations as a distinct symptom, regardless of the underlying cause. This code is appropriate when the hallucination itself is the focus of treatment or investigation, or when it significantly impacts the patient's presentation. Supporting documentation should specify the type of hallucination if known.

• Always code the underlying psychiatric or neurological condition causing the hallucinations first, if known.
• Do not use this code for illusions, which are misinterpretations of real external stimuli.
• Consider additional codes for specific types of hallucinations (e.g., auditory, visual) if more detailed documentation is available, though 780.1 is a general code.