Dissociative fugue

This code represents a rare psychiatric disorder characterized by sudden, unexpected travel away from one's home or usual daily activities, accompanied by amnesia for one's past and confusion about personal identity. Individuals experiencing this state may assume a new identity, either partially or completely, and often appear outwardly normal, making the condition difficult to detect.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient presenting with sudden, unplanned travel and an inability to recall their personal history or identity, without evidence of substance use or other medical conditions explaining the symptoms. This diagnosis requires a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation confirming the dissociative nature of the amnesia and travel.

• Differentiate from malingering; a thorough psychiatric assessment is crucial to rule out feigned symptoms.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "dissociative fugue" or provides sufficient detail to support this specific diagnosis.
• Review for any co-occurring mental health conditions that may also require coding.