Understanding Reactive Depression: Find information on diagnosis, clinical documentation, and medical coding for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and ICD-10 codes (F43.20, F43.21, F43.22, F43.23, F43.28, F43.29) related to reactive depression for accurate healthcare record keeping and billing. Explore resources for clinicians, therapists, and healthcare professionals managing situational depression and its impact on patient care.
Also known as
Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
Depressive reaction to a stressful life event.
Adjustment disorders
Emotional or behavioral symptoms due to identifiable stressor.
Mood affective disorders
Disorders characterized by disturbances in mood or affect.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the depressive episode due to an identifiable stressor?
Yes
Does it meet criteria for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood?
No
Do not code as Reactive Depression. Evaluate for other depressive disorders based on clinical presentation.
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Sadness due to a specific stressor |
Major Depressive Disorder |
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood |
Coding reactive depression as unspecified (F32.9) when sufficient clinical documentation supports a more specific diagnosis like adjustment disorder with depressed mood (F43.2x).
Failing to code pre-existing depressive disorders exacerbated by a stressor, requiring both the underlying depression code and the appropriate external cause code (e.g., T73.3).
Lack of clear documentation linking the depressive symptoms to the identified stressor, leading to coding and billing inaccuracies and potential compliance issues.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with Reactive Depression, also known as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, secondary to identified psychosocial stressor(s). Onset of depressive symptoms correlated with (clearly documented stressor e.g., job loss, relationship difficulties, financial strain, medical illness). Patient reports (specific depressive symptoms e.g., depressed mood, anhedonia, tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, fatigue). Symptoms impact patient's (specific areas of functioning e.g., occupational, social, interpersonal). Duration of symptoms is (duration) and meets DSM-5 criteria for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. Differential diagnosis considered and ruled out Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), and medical conditions that can mimic depressive symptoms. Severity of symptoms assessed as (mild, moderate, severe). Treatment plan includes (psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, interpersonal therapy IPT, supportive therapy) and consideration of short-term pharmacotherapy if indicated (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs). Patient education provided regarding coping mechanisms, stress management techniques, and community resources. Prognosis is generally favorable with resolution of symptoms anticipated with effective stress management and therapeutic intervention. Follow-up scheduled in (timeframe) to monitor symptom progression and treatment response. ICD-10 code F43.21 (Adjustment disorder with depressed mood) assigned. CPT codes for evaluation and management (e.g., 99203, 99214) and psychotherapy (e.g., 90834, 90837) will be billed accordingly.