- F93
- Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Emotional Disorders with Onset Specific to Childhood (F93)
DSM-5-TR: Separation Anxiety Disorder / Selective Mutism / Anxiety 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 RangeF90-F98
- Subcodes6 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceChildhood anxiety disorders affect approximately 7% of Australian children aged 4-17. Separation anxiety is among the most common.
- Global PrevalenceChildhood anxiety disorders affect approximately 5-10% of children worldwide.
- Duration RequirementSeparation anxiety: at least 4 weeks. Other types: variable, but beyond typical developmental phase.
Overview
These are primarily exaggerations of normal developmental trends rather than qualitatively abnormal phenomena. They involve heightened but recognisable emotional states (anxiety, phobia, social sensitivity) that emerge during expected developmental phases.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Exaggerations of normal developmental trends rather than qualitatively abnormal phenomena
- Heightened emotional states emerging during expected developmental phases
- Anxiety, fear, or social sensitivity beyond developmental expectations
- Onset specific to childhood developmental period
Duration Separation anxiety: at least 4 weeks. Other types: variable, but beyond typical developmental phase.
Exclusion Criteria
- Adult-type anxiety disorders (use F40/F41 if onset in adulthood)
- Pervasive developmental disorders (use F84)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F93.0 | Separation anxiety disorder of childhood | Focused anxiety concerning separation from attachment figures, beyond expected developmental level. |
| F93.1 | Phobic anxiety disorder of childhood | Fears in childhood that show a marked developmental specificity and arise mainly during childhood. |
| F93.2 | Social anxiety disorder of childhood | Wariness of strangers and social apprehension or anxiety in social situations that is beyond expected developmental level. |
| F93.3 | Sibling rivalry disorder | Emotional disturbance following the birth of a younger sibling, beyond what is normally expected. |
| F93.8 | Other childhood emotional disorders | Other specified childhood emotional disorders. Includes identity disorder and overanxious disorder of childhood. |
| F93.9 | Childhood emotional disorder, unspecified | Childhood emotional disorder where the specific type is unspecified. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Separation anxiety disorder of childhood
- Phobic anxiety disorder of childhood
- Social anxiety disorder of childhood
- Sibling rivalry disorder
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Anxiety disorders with onset in adulthood (F40/F41)
- Pervasive developmental disorders (F84)
Australian Clinical Context
Childhood emotional disorders are managed through school counsellors, CAMHS, and private psychologists. Early intervention is emphasised in Australian practice. The Brave Program (developed at Macquarie University) provides evidence-based online CBT for children with anxiety.
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
In DSM-5-TR, Separation Anxiety Disorder (F93.0) is listed under Anxiety Disorders (not limited to childhood onset). Selective Mutism, related to F93 conditions, has its own DSM-5-TR category. Assessment should consider developmental appropriateness of the anxiety symptoms.
Related Assessment Tools
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Emotional Disorders with Onset Specific to Childhood (F93).
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Emotional Disorders with Onset Specific to Childhood (F93).
- F41Generalised Anxiety Disorder / Panic DisorderAnxiety DisordersView reference →
- F40Anxiety Disorders (Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia)Anxiety DisordersView reference →
- F94Reactive Attachment Disorder / Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder / Selective MutismChildhood & Adolescent DisordersView reference →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these disorders limited to childhood?
While F93 specifies onset in childhood, DSM-5-TR recognises that separation anxiety and social anxiety can persist into or newly onset in adulthood. For adult-onset presentations, consider using F40 (Phobic anxiety) or F41 (Other anxiety disorders) codes.
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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