In-Depth Guide to the F95.0 Transient Tic Disorder Code

When someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder, the severity of their condition and the types of symptoms they experience can vary considerably from those of another person who received the same diagnosis. Because of the large number of conditions and diseases that a person can be diagnosed with, a series of codes was developed to make sure healthcare professionals can more effectively keep track of any diagnosis they make. There are over 70,000 ICD-10 codes, many of which apply to mental health conditions. The code for transient tic disorder is F95.0. 

Understanding ICD-10 Medical Codes and Why They’re Used

ICD-10 medical codes were published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999. They have since been adopted by many countries that wish to abide by the same standards and more effectively share information. 

The 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases added more codes and refined the previous version to identify more categories of health conditions. Overall, the ICD-10 version has allowed for additional specificity. The United States has created a slightly modified version of ICD-10 that’s known as ICD-10-CM. They also created a procedure coding system (ICD-10-PCS) that’s capable of labeling different inpatient procedures. 

The reason that ICD-10 codes are widely used is to help healthcare professionals classify injuries, diseases, and health conditions. When a diagnosis is made, it comes with an ICD-10 code, which can then be referenced by other medical professionals while treatment is being administered. ICD-10 codes can be used for everything from developing statistics to fulfilling claims reimbursement. 

What Is the F95.0 Code?

The F95.0 code is used for the transient tic disorder, which is now known as a provisional tic disorder. This code is grouped with similar conditions that also impact the nervous system. Transient tic disorder is a type of condition that involves verbal and physical tics that appear to be random. 

Tics are abrupt and uncontrollable sounds or movements that are entirely different from a person’s typical gestures and actions. When someone is diagnosed with a tic, they may blink rapidly for a short period although nothing is irritating their eyes. It might then be another hour or two until the tic reappears. 

The experiences of people who receive this diagnosis involve uncontrollable movements or noises and vary from person to person. This diagnosis is mainly given to people under 18. Tic disorders that occur during adulthood can involve Tourette syndrome or a similar disorder. There’s also a possibility that the condition started during childhood or adolescence but wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood. However, it’s most common among younger children. In many cases, a transient tic disorder is temporary. Children who develop a tic may experience it for anywhere from a few months to just under a year. 

Even though Tourette syndrome and transient tic disorder share many of the same symptoms, they are two different conditions with separate ICD-10 codes. The main difference between the two is that Tourette syndrome often lasts for more than one year. People who suffer from Tourette syndrome can also develop verbal and physical tics at the same time. While transient tic disorder can lead to verbal and physical tics, they usually occur separately. 

Possible Causes

Currently, there are no known causes of transient tic disorder. However, various factors combine to contribute to the condition. It’s believed that this type of tic disorder can be inherited via a genetic mutation. In fact, a rare form of Tourette syndrome can be caused by a genetic mutation. 

There’s also a chance that the disorder is caused by specific abnormalities in a person’s brain. These abnormalities are the same ones that can bring about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and other mental conditions. 

Although researchers are still exploring this possibility, it’s believed that this type of disorder may be linked to the neurotransmitters that exist in a person’s brain. These are chemicals in your brain that can effectively transmit nerve signals to the cells in the body. Keep in mind, however, that there has yet to be conclusive proof of this claim. Some transient tic disorder medications change the individual’s neurotransmitter levels. 

Symptoms of Transient Tic Disorder

The two major types of tic disorders include transient tic disorder and Tourette syndrome. However, doctors might not provide a specific diagnosis if the symptoms can’t be neatly categorized under one of the two conditions. It’s common for tics to be viewed as an indication that the affected person is anxious or nervous. 

These tics can become more severe while a person is stressed. It’s also likely that the tics won’t occur while the person is sleeping. Even though tics happen repeatedly, there’s no pattern or rhythm to them.

Many different types of physical tics are possible. The main ones include:

  • Shrugging the shoulders
  • Clenching the fists
  • Flaring the nostrils
  • Raising the eyebrows

Some of the more common verbal tics include:

  • Grunting
  • Moaning
  • Clicking the tongue
  • Clearing the throat

Children who develop this condition could have facial tics or ones that involve moving the legs or arms. Tics can involve movements that take place repeatedly without any type of rhythm. They can also result in the affected individual having the urge to make some form of motion. These movements often appear jerky and are almost always brief. 

How Transient Tic Disorder Is Diagnosed and Treated

There isn’t a single exam or assessment that can effectively diagnose transient tic disorder. Since the symptoms also occur with other physical and mental health conditions, healthcare professionals often find it challenging to make the proper diagnosis. If a child is repeatedly twitching their nose, what appears to be a tic might instead be a symptom of allergies or a cold. 

Doctors who attempt to diagnose this condition often perform a neurological exam. They’ll also ask questions about the client’s medical history, which should help them hone in on a specific cause for the symptoms they’re going through. If the diagnosis process proves challenging, a physician might order additional tests, which can include everything from blood tests to CT scans. The purpose of these tests is to make sure that the tics aren’t a symptom of Huntington’s disease or another serious health condition. 

There are numerous conditions that a person must meet to obtain this diagnosis. For example, one or more vocal or motor tics must be present; they include everything from blinking rapidly to repeatedly clearing the throat. It’s also necessary that tics occur for fewer than 12 consecutive months and start before the client is 18 years old.

To receive this diagnosis, the symptoms that occur can’t be the result of taking a specific drug or medication. It’s also essential that they aren’t caused by another medical condition. If someone receives a diagnosis for Tourette syndrome or some other type of vocal tic or chronic motor disorder, they can’t then be diagnosed with transient tic disorder.

The treatment for this condition depends on the severity of the symptoms and when the diagnosis took place. When this disorder occurs in children, it usually goes away without requiring treatment. 

If a child suffers from a transient tic disorder, their doctor usually advises their parents that no one should call attention to the issue. Teachers should also abide by these guidelines. If the tics are called out, the child might become more anxious and self-conscious, which could make the symptoms worse. 

If the tics are starting to impact the quality of the client’s schoolwork or job performance, a mixture of medication and therapy might be administered. Since stress is known to make the symptoms of this disorder more severe, many individuals who suffer from it practice methods to reduce or manage their stress. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also proven to be effective at treating this type of disorder. During a one-on-one session, the affected person learns techniques on how to control their behaviors and emotions. Once they gain control of these aspects of themselves, they can avoid any self-destructive actions that have become habits. 

Keep in mind that it’s impossible for medication to 100% cure these disorders. However, the client can use medications to reduce their symptoms. Along with drugs that lower dopamine levels, there are times when a client will be prescribed antidepressants that can help manage stress, sadness, and anxiety levels. 

It’s possible for a transient tic disorder to become a chronic vocal tic disorder, which is a more persistent problem. These tics usually last a long time and can last forever. While they tend to start in childhood and worsen during adolescence, they can become more manageable during adulthood. A chronic vocal tic disorder can continue during sleep and may worsen with heat, excitement, stress, or fatigue. 

Why Accurate ICD-10 Medical Codes Are Essential

Over the past century, an increasing number of physical health and mental health conditions have been discovered. While the ICD-9-CM code was helpful for doctors and physicians, it had been used since 1979, so it wasn’t up-to-date. ICD-10-CM was created to make sure the content was clinically accurate and much more expansive. By using ICD-10 codes, it becomes possible for medical professionals to:

  • Identify potential instances of fraud
  • Create payment systems
  • Process claims
  • Make informed clinical decisions
  • Track public health conditions, including complications
  • Measure care and treatment outcomes
  • Provide better data regarding epidemiological research

Since there are thousands of diagnoses a doctor can give, it’s a good idea to have ICD-10 codes on hand to accompany any diagnosis that’s made. Healthcare providers can deliver even more effective care with AutoNotes, an AI progress notes tool that’s HIPAA-compliant and can be used in psychology, therapy, and counseling. Medical professionals can use the tool to quickly generate everything from treatment plans to SOAP notes. By helping doctors and nurses deliver more efficient care, this tool can also benefit clients, who will receive better results. Sign up for AutoNotes today to learn more.