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What is 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.

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Name origin -

The name derives from Pica pica, the Latin word for the Eurasian magpie, a bird that is known for eating unusual objects.

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Who does it affect? -

Pica seems to be more prevalent in three distinctive groups, one of which is young children under six.

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Who does it affect? -

Another group of people who may be affected by pica are pregnant women.

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Who does it affect? -

Those who suffer from mental health disorders, particularly autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities, are also more likely to suffer from it.

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How common is pica? -

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.

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How common is pica? -

Small children naturally tend to put various objects in their mouths, which is a form of pica that disappears as they grow older.

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How dangerous is it? -

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.

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How dangerous is it? -

For instance, for those who have a compulsion to eat ice (common in pregnant women), pica can be considered a harmless condition.

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How dangerous is it? -

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.

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How does pica affect the body? -

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.

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How does pica affect mental health? -

People who suffer from pica often feel embarrassed and ashamed of their compulsions. This leads to many not seeking medical help.

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Symptoms and effects -

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).

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Other symptoms -

Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction, electrolyte imbalance, arrhythmias, and, in some cases, lead poisoning.

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What do people with pica eat? -

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.

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What do people with pica eat? -

Other common non-food items include ice, hair, paper, pebbles, soap, pet food, wool, cloth, and feces.

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Causes -

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.

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Causes: cultural -

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.

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Causes: cultural -

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.

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Troubled infancy -

Pica is sometimes a coping mechanism for children who experience neglect or abuse.

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Nutritional deficiencies -

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.

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Health conditions -

Conditions such as sickle cell anemia can lead to the development of pica. So can a number of mental health conditions.

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Diagnosis -

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.

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Diagnosis: mental awareness -

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.

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Diagnosis: no social factors -

There is no explanation for this behavior from a sociological perspective.

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Diagnosis: no medical or mental health conditions -

Medical or mental health conditions must be discarded as the root cause of the behavior.

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Tests -

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.).

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Treatment -

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.

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Treatment: mild aversive therapy -

This method works by using mild aversions (consequences) as a way to avoid pica behaviors and by positively reinforcing (rewarding) healthy behaviors.

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Treatment: behavioral therapy -

This approach is about teaching the person strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with their compulsions.

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Treatment: differential reinforcement -

This method helps people avoid pica behaviors by focusing on other behaviors and activities.

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Treatment: medication -

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

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