- F44
- Anxiety 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 RangeF40-F48
- Subcodes10 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceRelatively uncommon in Australian primary care; increasingly recognised in trauma services. Dissociative identity disorder prevalence estimated at 1-1.5%.
- Global PrevalenceDissociative disorders estimated to affect 2-3% of the general population. DID prevalence approximately 1-1.5%.
- Duration RequirementVariable — 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. |
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 |
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
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).
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- 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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