Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention 717
ings of sadness and associated symptoms su ch as insomnia, poor appetite, and weight
loss. The bereaved individual typically re gards the depressed mood as “normal,” al-
though the individual may seek professional  help for relief of associated symptoms such
as insomnia or anorexia. The duration and expression of “normal” bereavement vary con-
siderably among different cultural groups. Fu rther guidance in distinguishing grief from
a major depressive episode is provided in the criteria for major depressive episode.
Abuse and Neglect
Maltreatment by a family member (e.g., caregiver, intimate adult partner) or by a nonrel-
ative can be the area of current clinical focu s, or such maltreatment  can be an important
factor in the assessment and treatment of pati ents with mental or other medical disorders.
Because of the legal implications of abuse and neglect, care should be used in assessing
these conditions and assigning these codes. Ha ving a past history of abuse or neglect can
influence diagnosis and treatment response in a number of mental disorders, and may also
be noted along with the diagnosis.
For the following categories, in addition to listings of the confirmed or suspected event
of abuse or neglect, other code s are provided for use if the cu rrent clinical encounter is to
provide mental health services to either the victim or the perpetrator of the abuse or ne-
glect. A separate code is also provided for designating a past history of abuse or neglect.
Coding Note for ICD-10-CM Abuse and Neglect Conditions
For T codes only, the 7th character should be coded as follows:
A (initial encounter) —Use while the patient is receiving active treatment for
the condition (e.g., surgical treatment, emergency department encounter, eval-