A Brief Overview Of Eating Disorders

Pica

Pica is an eating disorder in which the patient feels compelled to eat items most would not think of as edible and those that do not have significant nutritional value. The specific items eaten will vary based on availability and age, as well as from person to person. Typical choices include dirt, hair, paper, soap, pebbles, chalk, and paint.

The compulsion to eat these items typically occurs over an extended period, usually longer than one month. Furthermore, eating these items must not be supported by the individual’s culture, as some cultures support eating clay for medicinal purposes, and must be inappropriate for the individual’s development. For children under two years old, putting small objects in their mouths allows them to develop their senses and as such is a normal stage of their development, although care should be taken to prevent choking or ingestion. Thus, children under two should not be diagnosed with pica. It is also important to note pica could be the result of deficiencies in the individual's diet, such as iron-deficiency anemia. For the most part, pica patients are not averse to consuming actual food.

Continue reading to learn about the regurgitating eating disorder.