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Decoding the OCD ICD Code

Reviewed by Whitney White, MS CMHC, NCC., LPC · December 04, 2020 ·

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a common mental health disorder or mental illness that impacts roughly one out of every 40 adults and one out of every 100 children or teens under 18 in the United States alone. It is not a quirk or a personality trait; OCD is a recognized disability under the American disability act, and living with the condition can be challenging. The good news is that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is treatable and that people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can live full, happy, and fulfilling lives. If you're reading this blog post, you're likely searching for the code for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that is presented in the ICD 10. Read on to find out about the principles used in the ICD 10, what the ICD 10 is, and more information about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

What Is The ICD 10?

ICD is short for "International Classification of Diseases." The International Classification of Diseases or ICD is a tool used worldwide by professionals such as physicians, nurses, other health care workers, researchers, health information managers, policy-makers, insurers, national health program managers, and health information managers, and more. It's for providers, facilities, policy-makers, and so on, and it is not something that you would find on the average person's bookshelf, though it is available for purchase. The ICD contains codes for disorders as well as other information. As for the ICD 10 specifically, the ICD 10 is simply the 10th version of the International Classification of Diseases or ICD.

What Is The OCD ICD 10 Code?

Here are the ICD 10 codes for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

F42: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

F42.0: Predominantly obsessional thoughts or ruminations

F42.1: Predominantly compulsive acts (obsessional rituals)

F42.2: Mixed obsessional thoughts and acts

F42.8: Other Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

F42.9: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, unspecified

Codes for related disorders include:

F45.22: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

F63.3: Trichotillomania

F42.4: Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder

These codes are typically used by providers and insurance companies, often for billing purposes, and they are doubtful to come up in conversation. Save for curiosity, there's no need to know the codes in the ICD. You don't need to see the code that pertains to a condition you're diagnosed with and can simply refer to it with the disorder's name when speaking to others, including mental health professionals.

About Obsessive-Compulsive And Related Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness that is characterized mainly by obsessions and compulsions. Habits refer to fixations and intrusive thoughts that a person living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder experiences, where compulsions refer to actions performed by someone living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to relieve the anxiety, fears, and intrusive thoughts of mental images affiliated with said fixations. Compulsions can be internal or external. Internal compulsions, called mental compulsions, often include counting or repeating phrases in one's head. External compulsions would encompass compulsions such as excessive washing, arranging items, checking to make sure that doors are locked, and appliances are off, repeating words or phrases out loud, and more. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is different for everyone. While contamination OCD is one of the most commonly spoken about subtypes of OCD, it isn't the only way that the disorder can manifest. Here are some other Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder subtypes to know about:

  • Symmetry OCD, which typically includes ordering or arranging compulsions, such as arranging items.
  • Harm OCD, which typically includes checking compulsions, like making sure that appliances are turned off or asking for reassurance.
  • Purely Obsessive OCD typically causes a person to experience mental compulsions, such as counting in one's head. Note that mental compulsions can occur in anyone with OCD (not just purely obsessive OCD). The difference is that with purely obsessive OCD, outwardly visible compulsions (compulsions that are visible to others) aren't present.

Note that these are not the only potential ways that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can manifest. Other subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder include but aren't limited to Relationship OCD, Religious OCD, and Real event OCD. For more information about different subtypes of OCD and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, check out our blog posts about subtypes of OCD and the signs and symptoms of OCD.

Above, you'll notice the codes for disorders related to OCD that are not actually subtypes or forms of OCD. Related disorders that are listed under "obsessive-compulsive and related disorders" include:

  • Trichotillomania, which is a disorder characterized by hair pulling. Someone with this disorder may pull hair from any part of their body, but frequently, people with trichotillomania pull hair from their eyebrows, head, or eyelashes.
  • Dermatillomania, which is a disorder characterized by skin picking. Sometimes, dermatillomania is also called skin picking disorder or excoriation disorder.
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which is a disorder described by Mental Health America as "a mental illness characterized by a persistent preoccupation with at least one perceived defect or flaw in a person's physical appearance, which may not be observable to others, or appears only slight."

Again, these disorders aren't Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or subtypes of OCD. They are separate disorders with their own criteria, but they are no less serious. Like with OCD, disorders like body dysmorphic disorder or Trichotillomania can impact anyone, and to be diagnosed with these disorders, they must significantly impact your life. If you live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or a related disorder, you are not alone.

Getting Diagnosed With OCD

To receive a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or any other mental health condition, you must see a medical or mental health professional qualified to evaluate and diagnose mental disorders, such as a psychiatrist. Getting a diagnosis can be helpful for a number of reasons, including personal understanding, medical records, and understanding among medical or mental health professionals you see now or in the future, insurance purposes, if applicable, and so on. Receiving a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is typically a non-invasive process where a qualified medical or mental health professional asks you a series of questions about your experiences.

Counseling And Therapy For OCD

If you seek counseling or therapy, know that you can do it with or without a diagnosis of a mental illness or mental disorder. Here are some ways to find a counselor or therapist who works with OCD in your area:

  • Search the web for "OCD therapists near me" or similar terms.
  • Contact your insurance company or visit their website, if applicable, or information about who they cover.
  • Consult a community center or look into free or low-cost resources in your area.
  • Use an online directory or a provider search tool, such as the mind diagnostics website's search tool.

Additionally, if you're interested in online counseling or therapy, you can consider options like BetterHelp. Again, you don't have to have a mental health diagnosis to go to counseling or therapy. People attend counseling or therapy for all different reasons, including interpersonal relationships, stressors related to work and school, or anything else that's going on in a person's life. Many people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder benefit from treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP). For any individual medical or mental health advice or information pertaining to specific treatments or therapies, make sure to contact a medical or mental health provider. Everyone is unique, and you deserve to get the support that works for you. The International OCD Foundation or IOCDF is a great resource for people living with OCD or the loved ones living with OCD. The IOCDF website has a resource finder that can help you find therapists, support groups, and other resources for people living with OCD and the loved ones of those with OCD. No matter what you're going through, know that you don't have to struggle in silence and that help is out there.

OCD Facts And Statistics

Here are some facts and statistics on OCD and related disorders:

  • Before releasing the most recent version of the diagnostic and statistical manual or DSM, which is the DSM-5, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder was categorized as an anxiety disorder.
  • Co-occurring mental health conditions are common in people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Conditions that often impact people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder include but aren't limited to anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People can have more than one mental health condition, and in fact, it is common.
  • Anyone can develop Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but certain risk factors can make it more likely for someone to develop Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, including family history.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness or mental health disorder that people can develop at any age, but there are two age groups where the onset of OCD is most often seen. These two age groups are between the ages of 8 to 12 and a person's late teens or early adult years.
  • According to the International OCD Foundation, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) impacts 1.7% to 2.9% of the population.

Take The Mind Diagnostics OCD Test

Are you wondering if you could have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? If so, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics OCD test. While taking the Mind Diagnostics OCD test can't replace an evaluation or diagnosis from a medical or mental health professional, it can give you insight into your symptoms, and taking the test might just be the first step to reaching out for the help you need. Although Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can affect people of all ages, including kids and teens, the Mind Diagnostics OCD test is for those aged 18 and older. 

Click the following link or copy and paste it into your browser to take the Mind Diagnostics Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder test: https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/ocd-test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Is OCD an anxiety disorder in ICD-10?
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