- F40
- Anxiety Disorders
Phobic Anxiety Disorders (F40)
DSM-5-TR: Anxiety Disorders (Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia)
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF40-F48
- Subcodes5 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceAmong the most common mental health conditions in Australia. Social phobia affects approximately 8% and specific phobias approximately 9% of Australians in their lifetime.
- Global PrevalenceSpecific phobias are the most common anxiety disorder worldwide, with lifetime prevalence of 7-9%.
- Duration RequirementSymptoms typically persistent; DSM-5-TR specifies at least 6 months for specific phobia
Overview
Phobic anxiety disorders involve anxiety evoked predominantly by well-defined situations or objects that are not currently dangerous. These situations or objects are characteristically avoided or endured with dread. The anxiety is not relieved by the knowledge that other people do not regard the situation as dangerous.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Anxiety consistently triggered by a specific situation or object
- Avoidance of the phobic stimulus or endurance with marked distress
- Recognition that the fear is excessive or unreasonable
- Significant functional impairment or distress from the phobia
- Symptoms not better explained by another mental disorder
Duration Symptoms typically persistent; DSM-5-TR specifies at least 6 months for specific phobia
Exclusion Criteria
- Anxiety not restricted to specific situations (use F41)
- Obsessional thoughts or compulsive rituals (use F42)
- Trauma-related avoidance (use F43)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F40.0 | Agoraphobia | Fear and avoidance of open spaces, crowds, public places, travelling alone, or leaving home. Panic attacks are a frequent feature. |
| F40.1 | Social phobia | Fear of scrutiny by other people in comparatively small groups, leading to avoidance of social situations. May be associated with low self-esteem and fear of criticism. |
| F40.2 | Specific (isolated) phobias | Phobias restricted to highly specific situations such as heights, flying, specific animals, darkness, enclosed spaces, blood, or medical/dental procedures. |
| F40.8 | Other phobic anxiety disorders | Other specified phobic anxiety presentations. |
| F40.9 | Phobic anxiety disorder, unspecified | Phobic anxiety disorder where the specific type is unspecified. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Agoraphobia
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Specific (isolated) phobias
- Phobic anxiety NOS
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Non-phobic anxiety disorders (F41)
- OCD (F42)
Australian Clinical Context
Phobic anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in Australia. The Australian Psychological Society recommends cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including exposure therapy, as the first-line treatment. Better Access MBS items cover psychological treatment, and GPs can initiate Mental Health Treatment Plans.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Document the specific phobic stimulus, degree of avoidance, and functional impact. Social phobia (F40.1) maps to Social Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5-TR. Agoraphobia (F40.0) is a separate diagnosis from Panic Disorder in DSM-5-TR, though they frequently co-occur.
Related Assessment Tools
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Phobic Anxiety Disorders (F40).
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Phobic Anxiety Disorders (F40).
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- Australian Psychological Society. Evidence-based psychological interventions.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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