F62

F62 is a diagnostic code in the ICD-10-CM classification used by clinicians to categorize certain enduring personality changes. It sits within the disorders of adult personality and behavior and includes Enduring personality change after catastrophic experience and related enduring personality states.

Clinical features described under F62 involve persistent and pervasive changes in personality, self-identity, affect, and behavior following severe traumatic events. These changes extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the event and result in significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Onset typically follows the precipitating experience and cannot be fully explained by another mental disorder or by the direct effects of substances or medical conditions.

Diagnosis is made through clinical assessment, with emphasis on the duration and pervasiveness of personality changes. There is no single laboratory test for F62. Clinicians consider differential diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, dissociative disorders, and other psychiatric or neurological conditions. Information from multiple sources, including collateral history, enhances accuracy.

Management focuses on long-term psychological and social interventions. Psychotherapy, including supportive and rehabilitative approaches, aims to help individuals adapt to changes and improve functioning. Pharmacotherapy may be used to treat co-occurring symptoms such as depression or anxiety, but it does not address the underlying personality change. Prognosis varies and depends on the severity of the trauma, comorbidity, and access to ongoing support and rehabilitation.