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📋Overview
Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive, non-food substances for at least one month, inappropriate to the developmental level of the individual. It is classified under feeding and eating disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The term 'Eating Disorder, Pica Type' refers to this specific pattern of behavior. Pica is distinct from other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and is recognized as a separate diagnosis. It can occur in various populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with developmental disabilities.
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