ICD-10 Code F40.210 – Arachnophobia (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F40.210 – Arachnophobia
What it is
Arachnophobia is an intense, persistent fear of spiders that is out of proportion to the actual danger. It is classified as a specific phobia when the fear causes significant distress or avoidance.
Clinical signs
You may see immediate anxiety, panic-like symptoms, or strong avoidance when spiders are present or anticipated. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use F40.210 when the provider documents arachnophobia or a spider-specific phobia as the reason for the encounter. It also fits when the record describes marked fear and avoidance tied specifically to spiders. Check documentation if the note only mentions general anxiety without a clear phobia diagnosis.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for general anxiety, panic disorder, or other animal phobias. If the chart does not clearly identify spiders as the feared object, check documentation.
Coding tip
Code the documented phobia target exactly; “fear of spiders” supports F40.210 when the provider states arachnophobia.