- F51
- Behavioural Syndromes
Nonorganic Sleep Disorders (F51)
DSM-5-TR: Sleep-Wake 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 RangeF50-F59
- Subcodes8 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceSleep disturbances affect up to 33-45% of Australian adults. Insomnia is the most common type, affecting approximately 13-33% of the adult population.
- Global PrevalenceInsomnia affects approximately 10-30% of the global adult population. Chronic insomnia prevalence approximately 6-10%.
- Duration RequirementInsomnia: persisting for a considerable period (typically at least 1 month)
Overview
This group includes sleep disorders of primarily psychological causation, including insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep-wake schedule disorders. Parasomnias such as sleepwalking, sleep terrors, and nightmares are also included when they are not attributable to organic conditions.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Sleep disturbance of primarily psychological causation
- Insomnia: unsatisfactory quantity/quality of sleep with difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep
- Hypersomnia: excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged sleep duration
- Sleep-wake schedule disorder: lack of synchrony with desired schedule
- Parasomnias: abnormal episodes during sleep (sleepwalking, terrors, nightmares)
Duration Insomnia: persisting for a considerable period (typically at least 1 month)
Exclusion Criteria
- Organic sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea (G47.3), narcolepsy (G47.4), or restless legs (G25.8)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F51.0 | Nonorganic insomnia | Unsatisfactory quantity and/or quality of sleep persisting for a considerable period, not due to organic causes. |
| F51.1 | Nonorganic hypersomnia | Excessive daytime sleepiness or sleep attacks not attributable to organic factors. |
| F51.2 | Nonorganic disorder of the sleep-wake schedule | A lack of synchrony between the sleep-wake schedule and the desired schedule. |
| F51.3 | Sleepwalking | Episodes of rising from bed during sleep and walking about while in a state of altered consciousness. |
| F51.4 | Sleep terrors | Nocturnal episodes of extreme terror and panic associated with intense vocalisations, motility, and high autonomic arousal. |
| F51.5 | Nightmares | Dream experiences loaded with anxiety or fear, with very detailed recall. |
| F51.8 | Other nonorganic sleep disorders | Other specified nonorganic sleep conditions. |
| F51.9 | Nonorganic sleep disorder, unspecified | Nonorganic sleep disorder where the specific type is unspecified. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Nonorganic insomnia
- Nonorganic hypersomnia
- Sleepwalking disorder
- Sleep terrors
- Nightmare disorder
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Organic sleep disorders (G47)
- Sleep disorders due to substance use (F10-F19)
Australian Clinical Context
Sleep disturbances are extremely common in Australian primary care, affecting up to 33–45% of adults. The Australasian Sleep Association provides clinical guidelines. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line treatment before pharmacotherapy. MBS items cover psychological treatment for sleep disorders.
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
Ensure organic causes (sleep apnoea G47.3, restless legs syndrome G25.8, narcolepsy G47.4) are excluded before diagnosing nonorganic sleep disorders. Sleep disturbance is commonly comorbid with mood and anxiety disorders — code the primary condition if sleep disturbance is a symptom rather than the primary problem.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Nonorganic Sleep Disorders (F51).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use F51 vs G47?
F51 is for sleep disorders of primarily psychological causation. G47 covers organic sleep disorders (sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, etc.). If in doubt, a sleep study may help differentiate. Comorbid organic and nonorganic sleep disturbance can be coded with both.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- Australasian Sleep Association. Clinical Guidelines.
- 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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