Everything about Pica Disorder totally explained
» This page is for the medical disorder. For the unit of measure, see Pica (unit of measure). For other uses, see the alternate spelling Pika.
Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an
appetite for largely non-nutritive substances (for example,
coal,
soil,
feces,
chalk,
paper, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered
foods, such as food ingredients (for example,
flour, raw
potato,
starch). In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month, at an age where eating such objects is considered
developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the
Latin word for the
magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything
(External Link
). Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in
pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are
developmentally disabled, where it's the most common eating disorder
(External Link).
Pica in children, while common, can be dangerous. Children eating painted plaster containing
lead may suffer brain damage from
lead poisoning. There is a similar risk from eating dirt near roads that existed prior to the phaseout of
tetra-ethyl lead in gasoline or prior to the cessation of the use of contaminated oil (either used, or containing toxic
PCBs or
dioxin) to settle dust. In addition to poisoning, there's also a much greater risk of
gastro-intestinal obstruction or tearing in the
stomach. This is also true in animals. Another risk of dirt eating is the possible ingestion of animal feces and the accompanying
parasites.
Causes
The scant research that has been done on the root causes of pica suggests that the majority of those afflicted tend to suffer some biochemical deficiency and more often
iron deficiency. The association between pica and
iron deficiency anemia is so strong that most patients with iron deficiency will admit to some form of pica. Often the substance eaten by those with the disorder doesn't contain the
mineral of deficiency. If a mineral deficiency isn't identified as the cause of pica, it often leads to a diagnosis as a mental disorder.
Pica may also be a symptom of
iron deficiency anemia secondary to
hookworm infection. Symptoms may also include a pinkish hue to the skin, particularly around the mouth.
Unlike in humans, in dogs or cats, pica may be a sign of
immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, especially when it involves eating substances such as tile
grout,
concrete dust, and
sand. Dogs exhibiting this form of pica should be tested for anemia with a
CBC or at least
hematocrit levels.
Treatment
Treatment emphasizes psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance approaches. Treatment options include: discrimination training between edible and nonedible items, self-protection devices that prohibit placement of objects in the mouth, sensory reinforcement involving screening (covering eyes briefly), contingent aversive oral taste (lemon), contingent aversive smell sensation (ammonia), contingent aversive physical sensation (water mist), brief physical restraint, and overcorrection (correct the environment, or practice appropriate or alternative responses).
This involves associating negative consequences with eating non-food items and good consequences with normal behavior. Medications may be helpful in reducing the abnormal eating behavior if pica occurs in the course of a developmental disorder, such as mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder. These conditions may be associated with severe behavioral disturbances, including pica. These medications enhance dopaminergic functioning, which is believed to be associated with the occurrence of pica.
Examples
In popular culture
Michel Lotito has made a career in entertainment of eating chopped "inedibles" like a Cessna 150 small airplane.
A patient suffering from Pica was featured in the season four premiere of Grey's Anatomy.
Jimmy Kimmel has suggested several times in his stand up that G. Gordon Liddy suffers from pica and, as such, may have been Deep Throat.
In the House episode "Lines in the Sand," a severely autistic boy with pica is diagnosed with raccoon roundworms that he acquired from eating the sand in his sandbox.
In the book One Hundred Years of Solitude, Rebeca eats earth and whitewash.Further Information
Get more info on 'Pica Disorder'.
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