ICD-10 Code F40.242 – Fear of bridges (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F40.242 – Fear of bridges
What it is
F40.242 identifies a specific phobia involving fear of bridges. Use it when the chart documents an excessive, persistent fear that leads to avoidance or marked distress around bridges.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, patients report intense anxiety, panic-like symptoms, or avoidance when approaching or crossing bridges, with the fear out of proportion to actual danger.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider clearly documents fear of bridges as the diagnosed condition. It may appear in behavioral health notes, problem lists, or encounter assessments when the phobia is the reason for evaluation or counseling.
If the record only mentions general anxiety, travel difficulty, or dizziness near heights without naming a bridge phobia, check documentation before assigning F40.242.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific anxiety, fear of heights in general, or motion sickness. If the note does not clearly identify bridges as the feared object, do not assume this diagnosis.
Coding tip
Code from the provider’s exact wording and confirm the feared stimulus is bridges, not a broader phobia.