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 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.