Worries

This code represents a patient's subjective experience of excessive or persistent concerns, anxieties, or apprehension about various aspects of life, without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for a specific anxiety disorder. It describes a state of unease or mental distress often characterized by rumination and preoccupation.

Use this code when documentation indicates a patient is experiencing significant worries that are impacting their well-being but do not rise to the level of a more specific anxiety diagnosis. This is often appropriate for initial assessments or when a definitive anxiety disorder cannot yet be established. Documentation should clearly state the presence of worries or concerns as a primary complaint.

• Do not use this code if a more specific anxiety disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder) is diagnosed.
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis if it's a contributing factor to the patient's overall presentation but not the primary reason for the encounter.
• Ensure the medical record clearly distinguishes "worries" from normal, transient concerns or from symptoms attributable to an underlying medical condition.