Find comprehensive information on personality disorder diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes, DSM-5 criteria, and differential diagnosis. This resource covers personality disorder treatment, healthcare management, and medical coding best practices for clinicians, therapists, and mental health professionals. Learn about cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C personality disorders, including antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent personality disorders. Explore resources for accurate personality disorder diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.
Also known as
Personality Disorders
Deeply ingrained, inflexible behavior patterns causing distress or impaired function.
Personality disorder, unspecified
A personality disorder that does not fit into any specific category.
Mental, Behavioral, Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Encompasses a wide range of mental and behavioral disorders, including personality disorders.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the personality disorder general?
Yes
Is it specified NEC?
No
Is it a Cluster A disorder?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Inflexible, pervasive personality patterns |
| Intense, unstable moods, relationships, self-image |
| Grandiose, needs admiration, lacks empathy |
Using unspecified codes (e.g., F60.9) when a more specific personality disorder diagnosis is documented, impacting reimbursement and data accuracy.
Incorrectly coding personality disorders alongside other mental health conditions with overlapping symptoms, leading to potential overcoding or denials.
Lack of detailed clinical documentation supporting the personality disorder diagnosis, making it difficult to justify the code and increasing audit risk.
Patient presents with enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate markedly from cultural expectations, impacting cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control. Symptoms consistent with a personality disorder diagnosis began in adolescence or early adulthood and are pervasive across a range of personal and social situations, leading to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Differential diagnosis considered and ruled out other mental health conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders that could account for observed symptoms. Assessment included clinical interview, review of psychosocial history, and observation of patient behavior. Diagnostic criteria for a specific personality disorder subtype (e.g., borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder) were evaluated based on DSM-5 criteria, including specific maladaptive traits and patterns. Treatment plan recommendations may include psychotherapy, specifically dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or schema therapy, depending on the specific personality disorder subtype and individual patient needs. Patient education on personality disorders, prognosis, and treatment options was provided. Medication management may be considered as an adjunct to psychotherapy for symptom management, such as mood stabilizers or antipsychotics for affective instability or impulsivity. Referral to a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist may be indicated for further evaluation and treatment. Patient follow-up scheduled to monitor progress, adjust treatment plan as needed, and assess treatment response. ICD-10 code (e.g., F60.3 for borderline personality disorder) assigned for medical billing and coding purposes. Prognosis and potential complications discussed with the patient, emphasizing the importance of adherence to the treatment plan for improved long-term outcomes.