Dissociative amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetting. This memory loss is typically localized (specific event or period), selective (some but not all events), generalized (identity and life history), continuous (from a specific point to the present), or systematized (specific category of information). The memory disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a primary diagnosis of dissociative amnesia, where the memory loss is psychological in origin and not attributable to a medical condition, substance use, or normal forgetting. This code is appropriate for patients presenting with sudden, extensive memory gaps concerning personal identity and past events, often following a traumatic experience.

• Carefully review documentation to differentiate dissociative amnesia from other forms of amnesia, especially those with organic or substance-induced etiologies, as indicated by the Excludes2 notes.
• Avoid using this code if the amnesia is part of a dissociative fugue; a more specific code exists for that presentation.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states that the amnesia is not due to a general medical condition, substance use, or another mental disorder.