

Our team at Red Oak Recovery offers help through programs such as: An assessment can help determine if there are physical or mental health causes of this condition and give you the tools you need to overcome them. If you’re unsure about whether you need treatment for pica, reach out to a treatment program to determine what may be happening to you. Finding the Right Support for Your Situation Many people can see significant improvement in the symptoms of their mental health disorder like this. This may lead to the need for therapy, including individual therapy sessions. This assessment may determine there is an underlying mental health disorder that requires medication and therapy. Sometimes, just using a multivitamin consistently may be enough to achieve this goal.Ī psychological evaluation may also be helpful for some people. Other times, the best treatment is to explore nutrient deficiencies and replenish them. If there is a threat to health, aggressive measures may be necessary to stop a person from consuming these items. Yet, because this is a behavioral complication related to an underlying mental health condition, there’s more to it. The simple answer is to stop consuming these nonfood items. Some people may also turn to nonfood items because they lack something to eat. Some people have severe mental health disorders that can cause this condition, such as schizophrenia. Other times, it may be due to cravings from the body due to low nutrient levels. There is some evidence that suggests an iron or zinc deficiency will unconsciously lead a person to consume substances. There is a range of theories about why pica occurs.

Typical pica eating disorder consumption may include: The goal of treatment is to stop the risk of consuming items capable of creating significant side effects. Usually, a person engages in a pica eating disorder for a short time but may do so intermittently over their lifetime. However, it often happens in children as well as pregnant women. In some situations, this can lead to complications like lead poisoning.Įxperts don’t understand why pica occurs yet. However, some people can consume dangerous items, including metal, glass, dried paint, chalk, or other substances that could carry chemicals in them. What Is Pica?Ī person with pica is likely to eat things that are not food, though they are typically harmless overall. Contact our team today at 866.457.7590 for more information about our treatment programs. If you’ve struggled with this condition, our team at Red Oak Recovery may be able to offer help. Pica occurs when a person compulsively eats something that does not have any nutritional value. Have you been told you have a pica eating disorder? What is pica, and what does it mean for your health? This is a condition that is often misunderstood, but it can be treatable with help.
