Key Takeaways:
The ICD-11 is an international diagnostic manual, classification system, and database for health conditions and diseases. This new version has significant improvements, such as more sophisticated coding, fully digital access, and more accurate classifications.
The ICD-11 made several changes regarding mental health disorders, such as removing certain disorders and adding new ones. They also switched to a more dimensional rather than categorical approach to mental health diagnosis.
The advancements seen in the ICD-11 may make mental health diagnoses more accurate and in line with modern evidence.
Understanding the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11)
The International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) is the most recent edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) released by the World Health Organization (WHO). This manual contains a global categorization and coding system that allows for the identification and classification of various physical and mental disorders or diseases.[1]
For the first time, the ICD is now fully electronic. It contains over 17,000 diagnostic categories and over 100,000 diagnostic terms. In turn, this categorization system allows for many uses across the globe, such as certifying and reporting causes of death, tracking statistics on illness and disorders, insurance coding, and clinical research, among others.[2][3]
Who Uses the ICD-11?
Many professionals use the ICD-11, such as clinicians, health care workers, researchers, statisticians, classification experts, mental health professionals, policy-makers, and health information managers.[1][2]
The ICD-11 is used globally, and more than 60 countries have already adopted it. This number is expected to grow as more countries plan for the adoption and implementation of it as well.[3]
ICD-11 vs DSM-5
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5) is a classification manual for mental disorders created by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). It is only used in the United States.[4]
Thus, the ICD-11 is a much broader system because it includes both mental disorders and physical conditions, and it is used globally rather than in just one country.
How Are ICD-11 Codes Used Within the DSM-5?
The DSM-5 lists corresponding codes from the ICD-11 for each mental disorder listed in their manual. These codes can then be used for insurance, billing, or data collection purposes.[4]
Development and Improvements
The finalized ICD-11 represents a long developmental process, resulting from the collaboration of numerous clinicians, statisticians, classification experts, and IT experts from around the world. The ICD-11 is also the first fully digital version, which reflects a more appropriate adaptation in today’s digital age.[1][2]
There are many other ways that the ICD-11 is improved from previous versions, such as:[1][2][3][5]
More sophisticated coding structure: For example:
Coding for rare diseases.
Incorporates new classes of codes.
Uses a clustered code structure with a stem code and optional extension codes.
Allows for more detail and more efficient coding.
Smart coding algorithm
Helps interpret more than 1.6 million terms.
Online and offline functioning
Greater international applicability
Guidance for use within different cultures.
Has been translated into 20 or more languages.
The use of an Application Programming Interface (API)
This allows it to be integrated into any medical record or health information system.
Diagnoses Added in the ICD-11
The ICD-11 has several new diagnoses that were not in previous editions:
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (Complex PTSD): This diagnosis involves the hallmark symptoms of PTSD, including re-experiencing the event, avoiding reminders, and an elevated sense of threat or fear, along with additional features not found in normal PTSD, such as:[6]
Severe problems with emotional regulation.
Feelings of shame, guilt, or failure.
Decreased belief in oneself and one’s abilities.
Problems with interpersonal relationships.
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD): This disorder is an inability to control intense, frequent sexual desires, which leads to repetitive and frequent sexual behaviors.[6]
Gaming disorder: This disorder refers to persistent and recurring gaming behavior, which is difficult or impossible to control and generally escalates over time.[6]
Prolonged grief disorder: This disorder involves symptoms of grief after the loss of a loved one that persist in similar intensity for an atypically long period of time (at least 6 months after the loss).[6]
Diagnoses Removed in the ICD-11
A few diagnoses were eliminated in the ICD-11 as well. They are:
Acute stress disorder: This is no longer considered a disorder, but rather classified as a reaction to trauma under the “factors influencing health status” section.
Transexualism: This used to be listed as a specific type of gender identity disorder, but is now termed “gender incongruence” and is listed as a sexual health condition rather than a mental health disorder.
Personality disorders: Specific personality disorders are now grouped into one “personality disorder” diagnosis, which can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, with six trait domain specifiers.
ICD-11 Topics and Contents
The ICD-11 is a very diverse and substantial manual. It consists of 26 core chapters, along with specialized supplementary chapters. The core chapters are all broken down into many other sub-chapters and sub-sections. In total, there are over 17,000 diagnostic categories and over 100,000 codable terms.[2][6]
Examples of just some of the core chapters in the ICD-11 are:[6]
Certain infectious or parasitic diseases.
Diseases of the immune system.
Sleep-wake disorders.
Diseases of the circulatory system.
Diseases of the digestive system.
Developmental anomalies.
Mental Health Disorders in the ICD-11
Mental health disorders are listed in chapter 6 of the ICD-11, which is titled “Mental, behavioural, or neurodevelopmental disorders”. The groups of disorders in this chapter are:[6]
Neurodevelopmental disorders.
Schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorders.
Catatonia.
Mood disorders.
Anxiety or fear-related disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive or related disorders.
Disorders specifically associated with stress.
Dissociative disorders.
Feeding or eating disorders.
Elimination disorders.
Disorders of bodily distress or bodily experience.
Disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviours.
Impulse control disorders.
Disruptive behaviour or dissocial disorders.
Personality disorders and related traits.
Paraphilic disorders.
Factitious disorders.
Neurocognitive disorders.
Each of these disorder groups is composed of several distinct diagnoses, which are sometimes broken down even further.[6]
Benefits of the ICD-11
There are several benefits of the ICD-11 when it comes to diagnosing mental health disorders. For one, the coding structure is very organized and detailed, which allows mental health professionals to more efficiently test, identify, and diagnose mental disorders. In addition, the use of a stem code with additional postcoordination codes and specifiers makes it easier to communicate specific details of these disorders when necessary or relevant.[3]
The ICD-11 has also moved to a more dimensional rather than overly categorical focus when defining mental disorders, which is in line with the latest research evidence. The dimensional models view mental disorders on a spectrum of severity, rather than simply labeling someone as having or not having a disorder. In turn, this newer approach is more likely to capture differences in symptom severity and presentation, and may help assess progress and recovery over time.[7]
Criticisms of the ICD-11
There are also certain criticisms of the ICD-11, which are related to its possible challenges or drawbacks. For example, the utilization of postcoordination codes and other new measures may sometimes seem confusing. Mental health professionals need to ensure they use the right postcoordination codes and specifiers, which may also take time to fully identify.
In addition, with the new coding format, the old codes from ICD-10 don’t always map nicely to the newer version. In fact, only about one-quarter of the previous codes could be fully represented by a single stem code in the ICD-11.[3]
Also, while there are significant cultural improvements in the ICD-11, the new classification system still may not fully account for the full cultural variance in mental health disorders, in part due to a lack of research in this area.[8]
Final Thoughts
The ICD-11 represents significant advancements in research, technology, and medical information. Ultimately, this makes it a more reliable and useful manual and database for identifying and diagnosing health conditions, including mental health disorders.
With the ability to be used by countries throughout the world, the ICD-11 is a highly important tool for mental health professionals, especially in an era where mental health recognition and treatment are becoming increasingly more important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the ICD-11 is fully digital and available for online access to the general public. It is available at this link: ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics.
No. Only trained health professionals can use the ICD-11 to make a diagnosis.
The ICD-11 was initially released in 2018 and was officially presented at the World Health Assembly in 2019. It officially became active in 2022, replacing the ICD-10 29 years after its introduction in 1993.[1]
America has still not set a mandatory implementation date for the ICD-11, so many are still using the ICD-10, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), which was the most recent fully adopted edition.
References
1.
ICD-11 2022 release. (2022).
Source: World Health Organization.
2.
ICD-11 fact sheet. (n.d.).
Source: World Health Organization.
3.
Preparing for the international classification of diseases, 11th revision (ICD-11) in the US Health Care System.
Source: JAMA Health Forum, 4(7), e232253.
4.
About DSM-5-TR. (2026).
Source: American Psychiatric Association.
5.
What is ICD-11 and why do we need it?
Source: CO Research Trust.
6.
ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics. (2025).
Source: World Health Organization.
7.
ICD-11 and mental disorders: Important changes, controversies, and future directions.
Source: BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 698
8.
Cultural issues related to ICD-11 mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Source: Consortium PSYCHIATRICUM, 2(2), 7-15.
Author
Jack CincottaJack Cincotta holds a M.S. degree in Psychology. He is also a board-certified holistic health practitioner through AADP and an AFPA-certified holistic health coach and nutritionist.
Activity History - Last updated: June 2, 2026, Published date: June 2, 2026
Reviewer
Dr. Smith is a behavioral health coach, clinician, writer, and educator with over 15 years of experience in psychotherapy, coaching, teaching, and writing.
Activity History - Medically reviewed on June 2, 2026 and last checked on June 2, 2026
