The craving to eat ice might not seem all that strange at first, but what about when it becomes habitual? Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Lesley Compton, PhD, describes Pica as “an eating disorder . . . [where people] who have pica eat items that are not food such as dirt, ice, bugs, wall plaster, paint chips, hair, and other items (Compton). Pica more commonly affects children 18-24 months old; however, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to be diagnosed with Pica. Pica has many subcategories which are defined by the substance being eaten. For example, Geophagia is term used to describe the consumption of dirt, soil, and clay; while, Pagophagia describes the consumption of ice. While Pica can be detrimental to one's health, it can be cured through
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Speech and Language Pathologist, Dr. Lillian Stiegler, PhD, reviews that Pica's dangers “include toxicity; intestinal infections and/or parasites; malnutrition, . . . and intestinal obstruction/perforation.” The most toxic form of Pica is the consumption of soil. Due to traces of lead and parasites being found in soil, soil consumption puts one at a high risk for lead poisoning and parasitic infections. Pica may also lead to malnutrition, for an individual eating non-nutritional substances is substituting the nutrients their body need with possibly high calorie substances (Stiegler). Andrea Hartmann, PhD, reports that “There are manifold medical complications that can be associated with pica eating . . . Of most concern is the potential for heavy metal toxicities that pose risks to a child, adult, or developing fetus. . . . Other reported medical complications . . . include bezoar formation” (428). Although there are many different forms of Pica that affect people in different ways, a person suffering from Pica can be treated, but to be treated one must first be …show more content…
Addiction and Forensic Psychiatrist, Fred K. Berger emphasizes:
Treatment should first address any missing nutrients or other medical problems, such as lead poisoning. Treating pica involves behaviors, the environment, and family education. One form of treatment associates the pica behavior with negative consequences or punishment (mild aversion therapy). Then the person gets rewarded for eating normal foods. Medications may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior if pica is part of a developmental disorder such as intellectual disability (Berger).
Vitamin supplements, such as iron and zinc, have been noted to reduce Pica incidents from “23 incidents to 4.3 incidents per person across a 2-week period.” In a case study by Katsiyannis et al “involving a young person dually diagnosed with DD and clinical depression,. . . pica behavior reduced significantly during a course of antidepressant medication and recurred when the medication was withdrawn” (qtd
Speech and Language Pathologist, Dr. Lillian Stiegler, PhD, reviews that Pica's dangers “include toxicity; intestinal infections and/or parasites; malnutrition, . . . and intestinal obstruction/perforation.” The most toxic form of Pica is the consumption of soil. Due to traces of lead and parasites being found in soil, soil consumption puts one at a high risk for lead poisoning and parasitic infections. Pica may also lead to malnutrition, for an individual eating non-nutritional substances is substituting the nutrients their body need with possibly high calorie substances (Stiegler). Andrea Hartmann, PhD, reports that “There are manifold medical complications that can be associated with pica eating . . . Of most concern is the potential for heavy metal toxicities that pose risks to a child, adult, or developing fetus. . . . Other reported medical complications . . . include bezoar formation” (428). Although there are many different forms of Pica that affect people in different ways, a person suffering from Pica can be treated, but to be treated one must first be …show more content…
Addiction and Forensic Psychiatrist, Fred K. Berger emphasizes:
Treatment should first address any missing nutrients or other medical problems, such as lead poisoning. Treating pica involves behaviors, the environment, and family education. One form of treatment associates the pica behavior with negative consequences or punishment (mild aversion therapy). Then the person gets rewarded for eating normal foods. Medications may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior if pica is part of a developmental disorder such as intellectual disability (Berger).
Vitamin supplements, such as iron and zinc, have been noted to reduce Pica incidents from “23 incidents to 4.3 incidents per person across a 2-week period.” In a case study by Katsiyannis et al “involving a young person dually diagnosed with DD and clinical depression,. . . pica behavior reduced significantly during a course of antidepressant medication and recurred when the medication was withdrawn” (qtd