Pica Symptoms
and DSM-IV Diagnosis
Pica
Symptoms and Diagnosis Overview:
Pica
symptoms and diagnostic criteria follow below. While some of these Pica symptoms may be recognized by family, teachers, legal and medical
professionals, and others, only properly trained mental health
professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, professional counselors etc.) can
or should even attempt to make a mental health diagnosis. Many additional
factors are considered in addition to the Pica symptoms in making
proper diagnosis, including frequently medical and psychological testing
considerations. This information on Pica symptoms and diagnostic
criteria are for information purposes only and should never replace the judgement and comprehensive assessment of a trained mental health clinician.
Diagnostic criteria for 307.52 Pica
A. Persistent eating of nonnutritive
substances for a period of at least
1 month.
B. The eating of nonnutritive
substances is inappropriate to the developmental level.
C.
The eating behavior is not part of a culturally sanctioned
practice.
D. If the eating behavior
occurs exclusively during the course of another mental disorder (e.g., Mental
Retardation, Pervasive Developmental
Disorder, Schizophrenia), it
is sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.
Also, See: Other Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in
Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence
Other Mental Health
Diagnostic Symptoms and Criteria
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