Pica is an eating disorder that involves a person eating things that they really shouldn’t be eating. Typical non-food things a person might eat when diagnosed with pica include: wool, talcum powder, paint, cloth or clothing, hair, dirt or pebbles, paper, gum, soap, and ice. Pica does not include someone who ingests diet foods or drinks that have no or minimal nutritional value.
Generally pica is not diagnosed in children younger than 2 years old, because many infants will attempt to eat things that are not edible as a part of normal childhood development. Sometimes pica might be diagnosed in conjunction with another mental disorder diagnosis (such as in autism or schizophrenia). If pica is the focus of clinical attention during treatment in addition to another mental health concern, it should generally also be diagnosed.
YOU ARE READING
List of Mental Illnesses
RandomWanna know all the Mental Illnesses out there? Then look for no more. Click Here! Credits to Psyche Central
