Unspecified Dissociative Disorder

Unspecified Dissociative Disorder is new category in the DSM-5

'''DSM-5 code 300.15. ICD-10 code F44.9'''

Unspecified Dissociative Disorder is new category in the DSM-5. This category is simply a quick and temporary place to put those that are in an emergency situation, and they are exhibiting dissociative symptoms, but there is not time or staff present for an actual diagnosis. Alternatively, it can be used when a clinician chooses not to specify the reason.

As with any dissociative disorder, it must cause clinically significant distress or impaired functioning and not be attributable to another known medical condition or substance use.

Although there is very little information in the DSM-5, the DSM-5 Guidebook (also published by the APA) states this category is a residual category for dissociative symptoms which do not fit within any other dissociative disorder category, for example when symptoms do not fit another category and the clinician decides not to specify the reason that the other criteria are not met.

If a reason can be specified, e.g., dissociative trance, then it should be diagnosed as Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, although both conditions use code 300.15.