Pica eating disorder in adults professional#
Pica disorder is completely curable in many cases, but a mental health professional should be consulted for assistance. It can cause significant impairment in social, vocational, relational, and emotional functioning daily and can impair the person’s ability to fully engage in these roles. If pica goes untreated, it can cause serious medical issues and mental health concerns.
If someone of any age consumes a non-food item, particularly if it’s a household cleaner or chemical substance, or something large like a coin that can cause airway or digestive instructions, they need to receive immediate medical attention.Īfterward, when they’ve been determined to be stable, action should be taken by the individual or their loved ones (particularly in the case of children and minors) to identify and diagnose any stressors or triggers through psychological and psychiatric treatment. Pica disorder should be addressed immediately, even if it is deemed to be an isolated incident. What makes pica so severe is that even one ingestion of a potentially harmful substance can lead to life-threatening consequences, as detailed above due to but not limited to the above physical conditions. Yes, pica disorder can absolutely be fatal. And other long-term injuries to the body and mind.Pica is considered dangerous because the consumption of even just one item can cause potential blockages, obstructions, and perforations, or poisoning of the digestive system.īut individuals that have pica disorder for long periods of time, such as those who consume dirt, clay, or lint (substances that may be non-toxic but aren’t meant to be consumed), still run the risk of the above injuries, as well as: Objects or materials that are often consumed by individuals with pica disorder include: This is because, as mentioned before, pica disorder involves compulsively ingesting non-food items that may be toxic. It can have potentially fatal consequences if someone is left unsupervised before their treatment (therapy and/or psychiatric care) starts working or begins. Pica disorder is serious and may not resolve on its own. If the individual is incapacitated or doesn’t communicate verbally, immediate medical attention is usually necessary to determine the cause of their symptoms. The danger is that once these items are eaten (especially in children who don’t know the dangers of eating non-food items), it’s not readily known that the person has consumed something toxic until physical symptoms and other complications develop. The non-edible items that people suffering from pica can contain hazardous chemicals that the human body is not designed to process. Adults may be less likely to report symptoms of pica disorder out of shame. However, normal teething behavior and the curiosity that toddlers and young school children display when eating inedible objects is not pica disorder.įactors that may be root causes of pica disorder are usually categorized as prolonged traumatic stressors, and may occur to individuals of any age. Typically, children with nutritional deficiencies or developmental concerns are most affected - and the behavior is likely to continue until a parent or guardian observes and intervenes. The situation affecting the individual with pica disorder is typically beyond their coping skills, and PTSD and complex trauma from someone’s past may prompt an adult to develop pica. The extreme level of distress is usually caused by long-term disruptions or disturbances in the environment of the person being affected.
While there are a myriad of things that can cause pica, the main cause is usually a very high level of stress or anxiety. Adults may be aware of the risks associated with what they’re eating, but may still be unable to stop.ĭespite the dangers involved with this condition, pica disorder is treatable with help from either a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and/or a psychiatric provider-both of whom will help treat the underlying causes behind someone’s compulsion to eat non-food items. Many of these compulsive cravings involve harmless items, but in some cases, pica disorder can cause fatal reactions to poisonous objects and substances that someone eats. Pica is an eating disorder in which someone suffers from the recurring urge to eat non-food items.
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