F43Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders Somatic Symptom and Related DisordersF45

F44Anxiety Disorders

Dissociative (Conversion) Disorders (F44)

DSM-5-TR: Dissociative Disorders / Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.

Key Facts

ICD-10 Range

F40-F48

Subcodes

10 subcodes

Australian Prevalence

Relatively uncommon in Australian primary care; increasingly recognised in trauma services. Dissociative identity disorder prevalence estimated at 1-1.5%.

Global Prevalence

Dissociative disorders estimated to affect 2-3% of the general population. DID prevalence approximately 1-1.5%.

Duration Requirement

Variable — acute episodes may last hours to weeks; chronic forms can persist for years

Overview

Dissociative disorders share a partial or complete loss of the normal integration between memories of the past, awareness of identity and immediate sensations, and control of bodily movements. They were previously termed "conversion disorders" or "hysteria." The onset and termination of dissociative states are often sudden and closely related to traumatic events or insoluble problems.

Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)

Core Features

Partial or complete loss of normal integration between memories, awareness of identity, sensations, or control of bodily movements
Close temporal association with traumatic events or insoluble problems
Onset and termination often sudden
No evidence of a physical disorder that could explain symptoms
Convincing evidence of psychological causation

Duration

Variable — acute episodes may last hours to weeks; chronic forms can persist for years

Exclusion Criteria

Intentional production of symptoms (factitious disorder or malingering)
Physical disorder accounting for symptoms (use neurological codes)
Dissociative symptoms occurring only during schizophrenia or mood disorders

ICD-10-AM Subcodes

Code	Name	Description
F44.0	Dissociative amnesia	Partial or selective loss of memory for recent events of a traumatic or stressful nature.
F44.1	Dissociative fugue	Dissociative amnesia combined with purposeful travel beyond the usual everyday range.
F44.2	Dissociative stupor	Profound diminution or absence of voluntary movement and normal responsiveness to external stimuli.
F44.3	Trance and possession disorders	Temporary loss of the sense of personal identity and full awareness of surroundings.
F44.4	Dissociative motor disorders	Loss of ability to move whole or parts of a limb or limbs (paralysis, ataxia, aphonia, dysarthria).
F44.5	Dissociative convulsions	Episodes mimicking epileptic seizures but without loss of consciousness or the typical EEG changes.
F44.6	Dissociative anaesthesia and sensory loss	Loss of skin sensations, partial or complete loss of vision, hearing, or smell.
F44.7	Mixed dissociative disorders	Combination of the above dissociative presentations.
F44.8	Other dissociative disorders	Includes Ganser syndrome, multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder), and other specified dissociative states.
F44.9	Dissociative disorder, unspecified	Dissociative disorder where the specific type is unspecified.

F44.0—Partial or selective loss of memory for recent events of a traumatic or stressful nature.

F44.1—Dissociative amnesia combined with purposeful travel beyond the usual everyday range.

F44.2—Profound diminution or absence of voluntary movement and normal responsiveness to external stimuli.

F44.3—Temporary loss of the sense of personal identity and full awareness of surroundings.

F44.4—Loss of ability to move whole or parts of a limb or limbs (paralysis, ataxia, aphonia, dysarthria).

F44.5—Episodes mimicking epileptic seizures but without loss of consciousness or the typical EEG changes.

F44.6—Loss of skin sensations, partial or complete loss of vision, hearing, or smell.

F44.7—Combination of the above dissociative presentations.

F44.8—Includes Ganser syndrome, multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder), and other specified dissociative states.

F44.9—Dissociative disorder where the specific type is unspecified.

Classification Boundaries

Includes

Conversion hysteria
Conversion reaction
Hysteria
Hysterical psychosis
Dissociative identity disorder (F44.81)

Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)

Malingering (Z76.5)
Simulation of disease (Z76.5)

Australian Clinical Context

Dissociative disorders are relatively uncommon in Australian clinical practice but are increasingly recognised, particularly in trauma services. Management typically involves specialised psychological therapy. Functional neurological symptom disorder (conversion) presentations are managed collaboratively between neurology, psychiatry, and allied health.

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

Clinical Psychologist

80000–80025Psychological therapy (higher rebate)

Registered Psychologist

80100–80123Focused psychological strategies

Occupational Therapist

80125–80145Focused psychological strategies

Social Worker

80150–80175Focused psychological strategies

Psychiatrist

291, 296–299, 300–308Psychiatric 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

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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

DSM-5-TR separates conversion symptoms (now "Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder") from dissociative disorders. ICD-10-AM combines them under F44. Dissociative Identity Disorder is coded under F44.81 in ICD-10-AM. Always exclude organic causes before diagnosing dissociative conditions.

Related Diagnostic Codes

ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Dissociative (Conversion) Disorders (F44).

F43

Anxiety Disorders

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

View reference

F45

Anxiety Disorders

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders