What To Know About The ICD Code For ADHD
ADHD is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide that can make it hard to pay attention, manage energy, control impulses, and more. Our growing knowledge of ADHD and its different types has led to it being included in the ICD: a standardized guide to different illnesses and mental health conditions.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you may come across a specific ICD code in your medical records. This code corresponds to the type of ADHD you’ve been diagnosed with. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what these codes mean, what they may be used for, and how they've changed in the latest version of the ICD. We’ll also explore the different types of ADHD, the diagnostic process, and how therapy may help you manage your ADHD symptoms.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by challenges with things like time management, focus, and social interaction. According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, ADHD may affect upwards of 360 million adults worldwide. We don’t know exactly what causes it, but there is likely a genetic component. Environmental factors may also play a role. Although it is often diagnosed in childhood, some people may not be diagnosed until later in life.
ADHD symptoms generally fall into three categories: impulsiveness (trouble controlling urges), hyperactivity (trouble controlling movement and energy), and inattention (trouble focusing and avoiding distractions). Let’s explore what these symptoms can look like.
Impulsive behaviors may include:
- Blurting things out without thinking
- Interrupting people
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Making big decisions on a whim
- Having angry outbursts
Hyperactive behaviors may include:
- Struggling to sit still
- Struggling to stay quiet
- Feeling driven to constantly be doing something
- Struggling to manage emotions
- Having a hard time relaxing
Inattentive behaviors may include:
- Struggling to maintain focus
- Daydreaming or “zoning out”
- Making “careless” mistakes at school or work
- Losing, overlooking, or forgetting things
- Struggling to start and finish tasks, especially uninteresting ones
It may be worth remembering that ADHD symptoms can look different for different people, and not everyone may experience all three types.
Diagnosing ADHD
There are three main kinds of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders. The type you’re diagnosed with depends on which type(s) of symptoms you mainly experience (impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and/or inattention). Let’s take a closer look at each type.
Mainly hyperactive: The hyperactive-impulsive form of ADHD includes hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, without any symptoms of inattentiveness. In general, it is a behavior disorder originating more often in boys.
Mainly inattentive: The inattentive type of ADHD includes symptoms of inattentiveness without symptoms of impulsiveness or hyperactivity. It tends to be more common in girls. Inattentive ADHD may be easier to miss than other types because its symptoms are often less obvious.
Combined: The combined type of ADHD includes a combination of impulsive, hyperactive, and inattentive symptoms. It is considered the most common type of ADHD.
Since the symptoms can vary so much, diagnosing ADHD can be complicated. Making things even harder is the fact that ADHD can often coexist with (or mimic the symptoms of) other mental illnesses, like:
- Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Conduct disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Other pervasive developmental disorders
Doctors often use a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose ADHD. They may interview you or your loved ones to learn more about your symptoms and behavior in different settings. When diagnosing children, they may also talk to their teachers. This may help determine if they have developmentally inappropriate inattention levels for their age group.
That said, interviews are often just one part of the process. Diagnosing ADHD may also involve self-assessments, psychological tests, and more. While there is no single, standardized test to diagnose ADHD, doctors can often make a diagnosis once they have enough information.
Understanding the ICD code for ADHD
ICD is short for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the ICD is a system that’s used in many countries to classify diseases and mental illnesses. The ICD provides standardized “codes” that healthcare providers can use to diagnose different ailments, bill insurance, share data, and more. The ICD is currently on its eleventh edition, ICD-11, which includes some changes to the codes for ADHD.
The ICD-10 code for ADHD was F90, with additional codes for specific types. Some examples include:
- F90.0: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type
- F90.1: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly hyperactive type
- F90.2: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type
- F90.9: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, unspecified type (used for people who showed symptoms of ADHD without fully meeting the criteria)
The ICD-11, which was released in 2022, updated the codes for ADHD, which is now listed under the code 6A05. The codes and language used to describe the different types of ADHD have also changed to reflect our growing understanding of the disorder. Here are a few of the new listings in the ICD-11:
- 6A05.0: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation
- 6A05.1: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
- 6A05.2: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined presentation
- 6A05.Z: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, presentation unspecified
The ICD code for your type of ADHD may appear in your medical records. Getting familiar with your ICD code can be helpful if you decide to request workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It may also be useful for figuring out which ADHD treatments are covered by your health insurance.
After your diagnosis
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD, your doctor may work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your symptoms and needs. ADHD treatment often involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. Therapy, in particular, may be a useful way to learn coping strategies, change unhelpful thought patterns, and manage your daily life.
It can sometimes be intimidating to manage ADHD symptoms without extra support outside of therapy. Online therapy may make it easier. Platforms like BetterHelp let you contact your therapist between sessions using in-app messaging, and they will respond as soon as they can. This may provide a greater level of support for people with ADHD than in-person therapy.
Research has shown that online interventions can effectively reduce symptoms of ADHD. In 2022, researchers reviewed data from six studies of internet-based ADHD treatments. They found that online interventions led to improvements in social function and attention.
Takeaway
ADHD is a disorder that can cause symptoms of inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. There are three types of ADHD you can be diagnosed with: mainly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. These are listed in the ICD, an international directory that assigns codes to different mental and physical illnesses. In the ICD-11, the most current edition, ADHD appears under the code 6A05. Understanding your ADHD code may be helpful for checking your insurance coverage and requesting workplace accommodations.
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