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Pica is an eating disorder in which people are driven to compulsively eat non-food items. Those who suffer from this mental condition consume items that have no nutritional value. The consequences can range from harmless to quite dangerous, depending on which non-food items are consumed, as well as other factors.
In this gallery, we explore what pica is, who is more likely to suffer from it, and why. Click through to learn all about pica.
Pica is a mental health condition. It's an eating disorder in which those who suffer from it compulsively eat non-food items that have no nutritional value.
The name derives from Pica pica, the Latin word for the Eurasian magpie, a bird that is known for eating unusual objects.
Pica seems to be more prevalent in three distinctive groups, one of which is young children under six.
Another group of people who may be affected by pica are pregnant women.
Those who suffer from mental health disorders, particularly autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities, are also more likely to suffer from it.
Pica is a somewhat common condition, but there is a lack of consistency when it comes to reporting it. In fact, many healthcare providers may miss the condition altogether.
Small children naturally tend to put various objects in their mouths, which is a form of pica that disappears as they grow older.
Pica is a compulsive condition that is hard to control, and it can be rather harmless or pretty dangerous, depending on what the person eats.
For instance, for those who have a compulsion to eat ice (common in pregnant women), pica can be considered a harmless condition.
This is completely different from those who have a compulsion to eat things such as hair (i.e. trichophagia), dirt or clay (geophagia), or even feces. In which case, they are exposed to an array of health risks.
The effects of pica can vary, depending on what the person eats and how often. There can be damage to the teeth, the GI tract, and everything in between.
People who suffer from pica often feel embarrassed and ashamed of their compulsions. This leads to many not seeking medical help.
There is only one symptom of the condition as such, which is a compulsion to eat non-food items. There can, however, be symptoms associated with the results of consuming such items. Depending on what the person eats, some symptoms may include anemia (low iron), constipation, and ascariasis (roundworm infection).
Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction, electrolyte imbalance, arrhythmias, and, in some cases, lead poisoning.
People who suffer from pica eat a wide variety of non-food items, including ash, chalk, charcoal, clay, soil, baby powder, eggshells, and coffee grounds.
Other common non-food items include ice, hair, paper, pebbles, soap, pet food, wool, cloth, and feces.
There isn’t one specific factor that causes pica. It’s believed, however, that there are a number of factors that may contribute to the development of the condition. One of these is stress or anxiety. In which case, pica is often used as an outlet or coping mechanism.
There may be instances where pica is a learned behavior for members of a particular culture or group. An example includes the practice of eating dirt at a Roman Catholic shrine (El Santuario de Chimayó) in New Mexico.
Eating dirt (geophagy) is also common practice in certain African countries, particularly among pregnant women. Dirt is sometimes consumed as a remedy or as part of religious ceremonies.
Pica is sometimes a coping mechanism for children who experience neglect or abuse.
Sometimes, the cravings are indeed signs of nutritional deficiencies. Iron, calcium, and zinc are among the most common deficiencies. People consume non-food items to compensate for the deficiencies.
Conditions such as sickle cell anemia can lead to the development of pica. So can a number of mental health conditions.
There are a number of indicators when diagnosing pica. How long the person has been consuming non-food items is important. To be considered pica, the person must have been consuming the items regularly for at least one month.
Those who suffer from the condition must understand that the items they consume have no nutritional value and that such items should not be eaten.
There is no explanation for this behavior from a sociological perspective.
Medical or mental health conditions must be discarded as the root cause of the behavior.
Tests are usually performed to assess the damage incurred by the condition, rather than as a diagnosis tool. These may include blood work and imaging tests, as well as specific tests (e.g. heart, electrolytes, etc.).
Some forms of pica, such as those experienced by pregnant women and young children, go away on their own. For those who struggle with it in the long term, there are a number of therapeutic approaches that may help manage the condition.
This method works by using mild aversions (consequences) as a way to avoid pica behaviors and by positively reinforcing (rewarding) healthy behaviors.
This approach is about teaching the person strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with their compulsions.
This method helps people avoid pica behaviors by focusing on other behaviors and activities.
Medication is rarely prescribed in cases of pica, but antipsychotic medications may be used in specific cases.
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Healthline)
See also: Mental and psychological disorders you've surely never heard of
Pica, the condition where people compulsively eat non-food items
From ice to soil
HEALTH Eating disorders
Pica is an eating disorder in which people are driven to compulsively eat non-food items. Those who suffer from this mental condition consume items that have no nutritional value. The consequences can range from harmless to quite dangerous, depending on which non-food items are consumed, as well as other factors.
In this gallery, we explore what pica is, who is more likely to suffer from it, and why. Click through to learn all about pica.