Let’s Talk Turkey: Human Rights, Holiday Lights, and ICD Delights

Nationally renowned psychiatrist uses humor to discuss social issues.

I’d suggest taking my considerations and recommendations below with lots of grains of salt.

In all seriousness, to start off, Dec. 10 was not only the annual International Human Rights Day, but as we speak, articles of presidential impeachment are coming forth. Health is a crucial human right that so many don’t have. Just maybe, the International Classifications of Diseases, ICD-10, has been missing some important conditions that warrant some seasonal codes: conditions associated with the darkness that unfortunately swallows up some, even in this season of holiday light. Let’s see how I found them.

In taking a pre-holiday ride from Milwaukee all over the world, side by side with Santa dressed as Elijah, I found a copy of the publication called Physician Practice in the waiting room of a physician in warm and sunny San Diego. It caught my eye because of the headline article, “15 ICD-10 codes for the holidays.” So to try to laugh to keep from crying, I took a few that I could adapt for today’s purpose and added some others. Let’s call them the 10 Derangements:

The Code: U2 – Human Fights

This is diagnosed when a Republican and Democrat disagree on the human right of Santa to bring presents to the homeless.

Code: V80.1 – Injury as Occupant of Animal-Drawn Vehicle

Should an older man with a beard arrive on say, the evening of Dec. 24, and he injures his hip on landing, get him to the emergency room ASAP, and hope he doesn’t see a burned-out doctor.

Code T75.4 – Electric Shock

No, we’re not talking about electric shock treatment for worsening holiday blues, but rather getting shocked from the careless mishandling of the Hanukah or Christmas lights.

Code Z72.820 – Sleep Deprivation

This is common in parents staying up late preparing presents, and in kids in their excitement of getting the presents.

Code Z62.891 – Sibling Rivalry

In a dispute over who got the best presents and what should be given to charity, a family therapist is called in – and is angry about being taken away from his family.

Code XO8.8 – Burn by Candle

Those who are left-handed and discriminated against are prone to get burned in lighting the Menorah candles, as the eight Hanukah nights progress.

Code V06.00XA – Collision with Non-Motor Vehicle

Distracted by looking at a cell phone for holiday sales? Watch as your car collides with Santa’s reindeer.

Code RUHIM (Are You Him) – The False Santa Sociopathy

Pretending to be Santa when you are really the Scrooge who takes all the presents he thinks he deserves.

Code OC25 – Light It Up

For the most outrageous and over-the-top holiday house lights.

Code TY11 – Talk Ten Turkey

If you think about our Native Americans and human rights, it is hard to have Thanksgiving without feeling some guilt for how they have been treated.

Now, we need your votes over which seasonal ICD codes to keep and treat. In the meanwhile, my prescription is: like a family therapist, do whatever you can to help resolve conflict, wherever it is.

Programming Note: Nationally renowned psychiatrist and author H. Steve Moffic, MD begins an exclusive series of articles for ICD10monitor on the impact of climate changes on health. The series begins on Jan. 14, 2020. Dr. Moffic is a popular panelist on the long-running Talk Ten Tuesdays live Internet broadcast, where he has carried the title of a resident psychiatrist. His latest book is titled, “Combatting Physician Burnout: A Guide for Psychiatrists.” Dr. Moffic was a tenured Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin.