Z55: Problems related to education and literacy

Z55.3: Underachievement in school

Underachievement in school, coded as Z55.3 in the ICD-10 WHO 2016 classification system, is a condition that denotes an individual performing significantly below their expected level academically. It's not a disease or physical impairment, but a reflection of academic performance which may be due to various factors such as learning disabilities, lack of motivation, personal issues, or lack of adequate educational resources. Symptoms might include low grades, lack of interest in school, trouble paying attention, and difficulties with school work. This condition does not directly affect physical health but may have emotional or psychological implications. These can include low self-esteem, chronic stress, and even depression. Progression varies and depends on the identification and management of underlying causes. It's important to remember that underachievement could be a sign of underlying cognitive or emotional issues, requiring professional evaluation.