Dissociative amnesia
ICD-10 F44.0 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of dissociative amnesia.
Dissociative amnesia is a psychological condition characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature. This memory loss is more extensive than ordinary forgetfulness and is not attributable to a medical condition or substance use. Patients may experience gaps in memory that can last from hours to years, often triggered by traumatic events such as accidents, abuse, or natural disasters. The amnesia can be localized (specific to a certain event), selective (only certain aspects of an event), or generalized (loss of identity and life history). The condition is often associated with other mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, PTSD, and depression. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, focusing on trauma processing and memory recovery, and may include cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage anxiety and stress. Understanding the interplay between dissociative amnesia and other anxiety-related disorders is crucial for effective treatment and coding.
Comprehensive patient history, including trauma history and memory loss specifics.
Patients presenting with memory loss following traumatic events, often with comorbid anxiety or PTSD.
Documenting the patient's mental status and any therapeutic interventions.
Detailed psychological assessments and therapy notes that outline the patient's memory issues and treatment progress.
Patients undergoing therapy for trauma-related memory loss.
Ensuring that therapy notes reflect the patient's dissociative symptoms and their impact on functioning.
Used for therapy sessions addressing dissociative symptoms.
Therapy notes must detail the patient's symptoms and treatment progress.
Psychiatrists and psychologists should ensure that the therapy aligns with the diagnosis.
Dissociative amnesia is primarily caused by traumatic or stressful events that overwhelm the individual's ability to cope, leading to memory loss as a protective mechanism.
