A pattern
of eating non-nutritive substances, lasting for at least a month,
Such substances as dirt, paper etc. The main characteristics are:
For at least 1 month the person persists in eating dirt or other
nonnutritive substances.
This behavior is not appropriate to the person's developmental
level.
It is not sanctioned in the person's culture.
If this behavior occurs solely in the context of another mental
disorder (such as Mental Retardation,
Pervasive
Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia),
it is serious enough to require independent clinical attention.
Associated
Features:
Pica can
be experienced by any socioeconomic group, There are no cultural
propensity towards this disorder. While it may be associated
with nutritional deficiencies such as iron deficiency anemia,
pica can occur when there are no deficiencies.
Differential
Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar or even the same symptom. The clinician,
therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against
the following disorders which he needs to rule out to establish
a precise diagnosis.
None Detailed
Cause:
Treatment:
Treatment emphasizes psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance
approaches.
Other successful
treatments have been mild aversion therapy followed by positive
reinforcement.
