Mental Health Basics







Pica



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 other
disorders which he needs to rule out to establish a precise diagnosis.



Cause:



Pica can occur during pregnancy. Some cases occur in people with severe
psychiatric conditions. In others, no cause can be identified.



Treatment:



Treatment emphasizes psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance
approaches.



Counseling and Psychotherapy [ See Therapy Section ]:

Other successful treatments have been mild aversion therapy followed by
positive reinforcement



http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/pica_disorder.htm







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