Pica (disorder)

As Pica pica or - according to Latin: pica ( magpie ) - a rare eating disorder is referred to, in which people take things to themselves, which are generally regarded as inedible or even nauseous. The usual name also Pikazismus was formerly used for unusual cravings of pregnant women. Also, the term Allotriophagie (from gr allotrios, foreign ' and phagein, eat ') was a name for this syndrome.

Simplified it could be said that this is in contrast to anorexia and bulimia to any " quantitative ", but a "qualitative" eating disorder is.

Symptoms and complaints

There are eaten things that do not serve primarily for human consumption, such as soil, ash, lime, clay, sand, stones, paper, paint chippings or plant parts. Sometimes things are consumed, which are generally viewed as disgusting, such as droppings, dust and waste.

Diagnostic criteria

The DSM -IV describes the Pica with 307.52 as an eating disorder, in which no food, but other things are consumed, and dispense with a further allocation, but requires the fulfillment of the following criteria:

Sufficiently severe the disorder is of course if the consumed objects to serious health problems such as poisoning, injury or mechanical disturbances in the digestive tract - such as an ileus ( intestinal obstruction ) - lead or leads to a malnutrition.

Not a Pica is when, for example, pointed or other items of prisoners are alone swallowed for the purpose, to force a treatment and thus alone the laying of a penal institution. (See harming or killing yourself. )

The eating of hair (a " trichophagia " ) is observed mainly at a trichotillomania, which is counted to the impulse control disorders.

Causes

The Pica syndrome affects relatively common mental disabilities, dementia, autistic people, people with other mental illnesses and delinquents, some of which do not know what they actually consume.

Even malnutrition can in extreme cases lead to a pica, for example, a pronounced iron deficiency. The Pica is therefore not a disease that is undoubtedly purely psychological reasons, but may also have somatic causes.

Consequences and complications

Pikazismus can have serious consequences, such as constipation, disorders of the digestive tract ( ileus and other diseases) and poisoning by toxic plants or plant parts. Even the consumption of relatively "harmless" things like soil, clay or ash can lead to infection. Long lasting Pikazismus regarded as malnutrition and can by malnutrition (such as when earth food by binding minerals ) lead to iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency; this is particularly serious in pregnant women and children.

Treatment

Psychotherapeutic measures will be considered. Otherwise, an appropriate supervision, at the risk of their lives an accommodation displayed.