6D86
Behavioural or psychological disturbances in dementia
Description
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant behavioural or psychological disturbances. [1]
Diagnostic requirements
WHO clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements [1,2].
Behavioural and psychological disturbances are common in Dementia. Examples of such symptoms include apathy, mood disturbances, hallucinations, delusions, irritability, agitation, aggression and sleep changes. Typically, these symptoms are more frequent and impairing in moderate and severe forms of Dementia, although this varies by Dementia etiology. Behavioural and psychological disturbances may be present in early stages of Dementia (such as in Frontotemporal Dementia) and may be more prominent than neurocognitive symptoms.
Specifiers for Behavioural or Psychological Disturbances in Dementia should be used when, in addition to the neurocognitive and other disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes behavioural or psychological symptoms that are severe enough to represent a focus of clinical intervention. As many of the following specifiers may be added to the Dementia diagnosis as necessary to describe the relevant aspects of the current clinical picture. These specifiers may be applied to all Dementia categories. They include:
- 6D86.0 Psychotic Symptoms in Dementia
- 6D86.1 Mood Symptoms in Dementia
- 6D86.2 Anxiety Symptoms in Dementia
- 6D86.3 Apathy in Dementia
- 6D86.4 Agitation or Aggression in Dementia
- 6D86.5 Disinhibition in Dementia
- 6D86.6 Wandering in Dementia
- 6D86.Y Other Specified Behavioural or Psychological Disturbances in Dementia
- 6D86.Z Behavioural or Psychological Disturbances in Dementia, Unspecified
For behavioural or psychological disturbances that is not adequately captured by any of the other available Behavioural or Psychological Disturbances in Dementia specifiers, the following specifier may be appropriate:
6D86.Y Other Specified Behavioural or Psychological Disturbances in Dementia
- There are behavioural or psychological symptoms occurring as part of Dementia that are severe enough to represent a focus of clinical intervention and are not adequately captured by the above categories.
Subcategories
6D86.0 Psychotic symptoms in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant delusions or hallucinations. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant delusions or hallucinations.
6D86.1 Mood symptoms in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant mood symptoms such as depressed mood, elevated mood, or irritable mood. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant mood symptoms such as depressed mood, elevated mood, or irritable mood.
6D86.2 Anxiety symptoms in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or worry. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or worry.
6D86.3 Apathy in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant indifference or lack of interest. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant indifference or lack of interest.
6D86.4 Agitation or aggression in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes: 1) clinically significant excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension; or 2) hostile or violent behaviour. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes 1) clinically significant excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension; and/or 2) hostile or violent behaviour.
6D86.5 Disinhibition in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant lack of restraint manifested in disregard for social conventions, impulsivity, and poor risk assessment. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant lack of restraint manifested in disregard for social conventions, impulsivity, and poor risk assessment.
6D86.6 Wandering in dementia
In addition to the cognitive disturbances characteristic of dementia, the current clinical picture includes clinically significant wandering that puts the person at risk of harm. [1]
- The current clinical picture includes clinically significant wandering that puts the person at risk of harm.
Coded elsewhere
References
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11 MMS), 2026-01 release. World Health Organization; 2026.
- World Health Organization. Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Requirements for ICD-11 Mental, Behavioural or Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CDDR). World Health Organization; 2024.
WHO text reproduced without changes from the WHO ICD-11 API. © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO. View this entry in the WHO ICD-11 browser.