What is pica eating disorder?
Most of us have heard of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and binge eating and are aware of the consequences of such conditions. However, not many people are aware of yet another unhealthy dietary preference, known as pica eating disorder, which is not actually related to the consumption of real food. Instead, pica eating disorder can be described as a compulsion to consume non-food items, or edible items that have no nutritious value. People who suffer from pica eating disorder tend to ingest substances like soil, dirt, chalk, clay, sand, cigarette ash, paper, gravel and rocks, among others. While it is normal to see toddlers put just about anything, from dirt to insects in their mouths, it is not indicative of pica eating disorder in any way. It is only when people who are over the age of two years display a constant craving for nonnutritive items for over a month, that the presence of pica eating disorder can be considered. This condition is prevalent mostly in children, but is also common in adults with developmental disabilities.
Causes of pica
The exact causes of pica eating disorders have not been determined as yet; however, it is believed that factors such as emotional depravation, nutritional deficiencies, neglect, thirst for attention, poverty, lack of parental supervision and developmental problems are some of the leading causes of pica. Some children may develop pica because of watching and imitating a pet’s eating habits. Adults who suffer from anorexia or bulimia may also develop pica, as they try to eat non-food and non-digestible items to ease their hunger. There are some people who suffer from poor self - esteem and they believe that they do not even deserve to eat real food.
Even though pica may seem like a harmless condition to parents at first, it could develop into a serious problem, which may even be life threatening if it is not controlled in time.
Treatment for pica
Therapy is the most common form of treatment, used for pica eating disorder. Therapy may not directly address pica eating disorder, but it may be aimed at getting to the underlying root of the problem and eliminating it. Moreover, therapy may also be useful in preventing the development of other eating disorders in a person. It may take an entire team, made up of parents, doctors, nutritionists, teachers, therapists, friends and relatives, to monitor the progress of children, or teenagers who are suffering from pica eating disorder.
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