F43: Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders

F43 refers to Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders, a set of nonpsychotic mental health disorders that affect thoughts, behaviors, and bodily experiences. These disorders commonly present with excessive worry, avoidance, compulsions, trauma responses, or unexplained physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

Symptoms

• Excessive fear or avoidance – Typical in phobias (F40)
• Panic attacks or chronic worry – Seen in generalized anxiety disorder (F41)
• Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors – Characteristic of OCD (F42)
• Flashbacks or emotional numbness – PTSD symptoms under F43
• Memory loss or identity disturbance – In dissociative disorders (F44)
• Unexplained physical symptoms – Hallmark of somatoform disorders (F45)
• Nervousness or fatigue – Features of F48 nonpsychotic presentations

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders is clinical, based on DSM-5 or ICD10 criteria, thorough patient interviews, mental status exams, and sometimes ruling out medical causes through lab or imaging studies. Screening tools like GAD-7 or Y-BOCS may support assessment.

ICD10 Code Usage

ICD10 code F43 is used in primary care, psychiatry, neurology, and psychology to classify anxiety, trauma-related, dissociative, somatoform, and neurotic disorders. These codes aid in treatment planning, documentation, insurance billing, and behavioral health coordination.

Related Codes

• F40 – Phobic anxiety disorders
• F41 – Other anxiety disorders
• F42 – Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• F44 – Dissociative and conversion disorders
• F45 – Somatoform disorders
• F48 – Other nonpsychotic mental disorders

FAQs

Q1: What is ICD10 code F43?
A: It classifies Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders, a nonpsychotic mental health condition involving anxiety, trauma, dissociation, or somatic complaints.

Q2: Are these disorders common?
A: Yes, anxiety and stress-related disorders are among the most frequently diagnosed mental health conditions globally.

Q3: Are these conditions treatable?
A: Absolutely. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments are often effective.

Q4: How are somatoform and dissociative disorders different?
A: Somatoform disorders manifest physically without medical explanation; dissociative disorders affect memory, identity, or awareness.

Q5: Who manages these disorders?
A: Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, therapists, and sometimes primary care providers in integrated settings.

Conclusion

ICD10 code F43 enables accurate classification of Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders, guiding timely diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and coordinated care across the mental health continuum.