ICD-10 Code F40 – Phobic anxiety disorders (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F40 – Phobic anxiety disorders
What it is
F40 identifies phobic anxiety disorders, where fear is focused on a specific situation, object, or activity. The anxiety is out of proportion and may lead to avoidance or marked distress.
Clinical signs
Common findings include intense fear, panic-like symptoms, and avoidance of the feared trigger. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use F40 when the record documents a phobic anxiety disorder without a more specific subtype. Apply it for diagnosed phobic conditions that are causing clinically significant distress or functional impairment. If the provider specifies a named phobia, check documentation for a more detailed code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for generalized anxiety, panic disorder without a phobic trigger, or normal fear reactions. Check documentation if the chart does not clearly support a phobic anxiety diagnosis.
Coding tip
Code the documented phobic disorder to the highest specificity available, and verify whether the provider names the trigger or subtype.