Disorder of organs of special sense arising from mental factors

This code signifies a psychological or psychiatric condition manifesting as a disturbance in the function of sensory organs, such as psychogenic blindness, deafness, or anosmia. The sensory impairment is not attributable to an organic cause but is rather a conversion symptom or somatoform disorder.

Apply this code when a patient presents with a sensory deficit (e.g., vision loss, hearing loss, loss of smell or taste) for which extensive medical workup has ruled out any physiological or neurological etiology. Documentation should clearly indicate a psychological origin for the sensory disturbance, often diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

• Always ensure organic causes have been thoroughly investigated and ruled out before assigning this code.
• Consider co-reporting with a mental health diagnosis (e.g., conversion disorder, somatoform disorder) if specified in the documentation.
• Avoid using this code for malingering; the distinction between a genuine psychogenic disorder and feigned symptoms is crucial.