PICA DISORDER -'URGE TO EAT BUT ITS NOT WHEAT’

Ever noticed someone around you anxiously eating food without any nutrients? They might be consuming dirt, clay, soap, glue, chalk, etc. You might wonder what is wrong with them. Why are they gobbling inedible items? This is a sign of the pica eating disorder.

It is much more prevalent in children and pregnant females who tend to eat or even crave inedible food items. It may also occur in people with intellectual disabilities wherein it is more severe.

What exactly is it?

PICA is a psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are non-nutritive. Example - chalk, soap, paper, etc.

What are the causes of pica?

A diversity in causes has been observed. Iron or other nutritional deficiencies, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), dieting and malnutrition could be some of the reasons. Pleasing textures of objects might also attract people. Complications may occur due to the substance consumed. For example, lead poisoning may result from ingestion of paints. A person might end up getting infected by deadly diseases (parasitic infections) if they consume soil.

Diagnosing pica

Diagnosis is generally based on the patient’s history and diet. Blood tests will be conducted by the doctor for evaluating nutrient levels in your body. They might also conduct a test for infection of diseases if the patient consumed potential causes.

Can this disorder be treated?

Yes, it can be treated but it is time taking. More emphasis is laid on the patient’s psychological needs. Their environment is also supervised. Fulfilling nutrient requirements and therapy have been found helpful in treating the disorder. Previous reports have cautioned against the use of medication until all non-psychogenic causes have been ruled out. Success with the treatment is generally high and fades with age, but it varies depending on the cause of the disorder and from patient to patient.

Pica in Pregnant Women

Pregnant women with pica end up eating non-nutritious foods which affects their health as well as the health of fetus.

Depending upon what is consumed, complications may range from infection, poisoning, intestinal obstruction, etc.

Vitamin deficiency could result in the fetus not getting what they need for development.

CASE STUDY

A 35-year-old woman, with an 8-month old child, with no family history of mental illness or neurological disease suffered from this disorder. She consulted a psychiatrist complaining of an overwhelming urge to eat paper and cardboard whenever she was alone for the past 4 months. This increased and also led to her fear of being caught, resulting in stress.

After unpacking the toys for her child, she used to chew the leftover cardboard. Eating paper made her relax. However, after screening, she was diagnosed with pica secondary to severe depression without psychotic symptoms.

The fact that the consumption of paper reduced significantly when her mood symptoms improved, proved that it was secondary to depression. Medicines were prescribed and after 4 weeks of treatment she admitted that she did not feel any desire to eat such substances anymore. She was advised for further follow-ups and educated about treatment adherence.

In this case the patient started the consumption of paper as a stress buster secondary to depression.

There are many other reasons, diagnostics and treatment for this disorder. If you find yourself eating any unhealthy or inedible items, consult your family doctor immediately. It is a temporary disorder but poisonous substances might end up in your gut and turn out to be deadly.

There is no specific way to prevent pica. However, careful attention to eating habits and close supervision of children known to put things in their mouths may help catch the disorder before complications can occur.