Pica is an eating disorder in which patient eats non food items like soap, paper and etc. My question is what is going on with them that they are literally drawn to eat dirt? Is there any therapy available for them?
Pica could be caused by nutritional deficiencies or it could be that the person doesn’t know that what they are eating is inedible. For example, it is caused by iron deficiency in pregnant women, and people with certain mental disorders (such as autism, schizophrenia etc) may suffer from pica because they are not in a normal state of mind to figure out that what they are eating is inedible.
Pica can be treated with behavioral therapy and medications.
Pica is a standalone eating disorder, and it has been classified as a mental disorder by the DSM-5.
I actually first heard of pica when I was researching something pregnancy-related and it came up. It seems to be due to the increased nutritional needs in pregnant women. Of course, it doesn't only happen in pregnant women.
There are a few theories into the psychopathology of pica disorder, but at the moment, there is no evidence for any type of direct causality.
I think one plausible theory is that it is a self-soothing behavior. Pica disorder is often seen with patients with GI distress, psychological factors (like stress), and OCD. It may be that by consuming non-food items helps sooth the individual.
I think the nutrient deficiency theory would make sense as well, especially because many patients have low serum levels of iron. However, it seems as though the substances these patients consume don't necessarily increase these low iron levels.
Pica could be caused by nutritional deficiencies or it could be that the person doesn’t know that what they are eating is inedible. For example, it is caused by iron deficiency in pregnant women, and people with certain mental disorders (such as autism, schizophrenia etc) may suffer from pica because they are not in a normal state of mind to figure out that what they are eating is inedible.
Pica can be treated with behavioral therapy and medications.
Pica is a standalone eating disorder, and it has been classified as a mental disorder by the DSM-5.
I actually first heard of pica when I was researching something pregnancy-related and it came up. It seems to be due to the increased nutritional needs in pregnant women. Of course, it doesn't only happen in pregnant women.
There are a few theories into the psychopathology of pica disorder, but at the moment, there is no evidence for any type of direct causality.
I think one plausible theory is that it is a self-soothing behavior. Pica disorder is often seen with patients with GI distress, psychological factors (like stress), and OCD. It may be that by consuming non-food items helps sooth the individual.
I think the nutrient deficiency theory would make sense as well, especially because many patients have low serum levels of iron. However, it seems as though the substances these patients consume don't necessarily increase these low iron levels.
Pica is sometimes treated with mild aversion therapy.
Pica is sometimes a manifestation of iron-deficient anemia as well