There are different types of eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. Although the latter are well known to most people, some of them are not so well known. One of these is Pica Syndrome or Alotrophagia , an eating disorder that mainly affects children.

Its main characteristic is that the person who suffers it feels an uncontrollable desire or urge to ingest substances that are not nutritious , among them, soil, ants, bicarbonate, glue, insects, paper, small pieces of plastic or wood.

Pica syndrome is associated with children with cognitive difficulties and other developmental disorders, for example, autism. Up to 30% of children with this disorder have Pica. Although this behavior can be seen in other children at an early age, individuals with autism continue to engage in this practice at later ages.

Pica syndrome: main features

Therefore, this disorder is characterized by a persistent desire that leads the person to want to eat substances such as dirt or paint . Substances that, in addition to having no nutritional value, cause the person with Pica to put their health at risk.

The Manual of Clinical Child Psychology estimates that currently the prevalence of this disorder corresponds to between 4% and 26% of the institutionalized population. Some of the most frequent causes of Pica syndrome are nutritional disorders, mental illness and psychological problems. However, in most cases the trigger for this behaviour is not known.

However, it is important to treat this problem as soon as possible to avoid complications , such as increased risk of gastrointestinal diseases and social maladjustment

How Pica Syndrome is diagnosed

If there is suspicion that someone may have this disorder, an immediate medical evaluation is important to know if there is anemia, intestinal problems or toxicity caused by the ingested substances . The doctor may use X-ray or blood tests to determine the extent or consequences of such use.

In addition, the doctor can also perform a thorough evaluation for possible infections caused by objects or substances contaminated with batteries. On the other hand, it is important to carry out a review of the patient’s eating habits.

The presence of the psychologist is also important when making a correct diagnosis . Because it is essential to assess the presence of other disorders, such as mental retardation, developmental disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

According to the DSM-V, the pattern of behavior of the person with Pica has the following characteristics

  • Persistent feeding of inappropriate substances must last at least one month for the diagnosis of Pica Syndrome.
  • Feeding non-nutritive substances is inappropriate for the individual’s level of development.
  • Inappropriate eating behavior is not part of a cultural or social practice.
  • If it happens in the presence of another mental disorder (e.g., autism) or during a medical condition (e.g., pregnancy) it is serious enough to require independent medical care.

Treatments and follow-ups

Due to the high risk of medical complications (e.g. poisoning) associated with Pica, close medical supervision is necessary throughout the treatment of eating behavior . Obviously, this treatment cannot be understood without the figure of a psychologist and/or psychiatrist who are experts in the treatment of eating behaviour.

The Manual of Clinical Child Psychology emphasizes the application of cognitive-behavioral strategies due to their effectiveness in the treatment of this type of psychopathology. For example, it is possible to train subjects to eat or not eat harmful substances with the application of reinforcement techniques .

Complications associated with Pica Syndrome

As mentioned above, this disorder can cause serious health problems . Some of the associated complications of Pica syndrome are:

  • Certain products such as paint can include toxic substances , and eating them can lead to poisoning. This can lead to serious complications, for example, brain damage and even death.
  • The ingestion of substances that cannot be digested (e.g. stones) can cause constipation or blockage in the digestive tract, including the intestines. In addition, sharp objects can cause injuries in the mouth, neck or stomach.
  • Ingested bacteria or parasites can cause serious infections that can damage both the liver and kidneys.
  • The existence of other psychological disorders may make it difficult to treat Pica syndrome.

Prevention

Pica syndrome usually begins in childhood and lasts only a few months. However, it is likely to be more difficult to manage in children who have developmental disabilities, as they may continue to display this behaviour in later life .

But can this eating disorder be prevented? There is no specific way to prevent it. However, careful attention to the eating habits of young children and close supervision of children who are more likely to put things in their mouths can help prevent the disease before complications arise.

As is always the case with this type of disorder, preventing this type of behavior from becoming part of a person’s daily habits is fundamental, so the sooner the intervention, the better. Once this behaviour is consolidated, it is more complicated to make it disappear.

An irrational impulse

Pica Syndrome is a sign that, under certain circumstances, human beings are capable of embracing extremely harmful and maladaptive patterns of behaviour that have no clear advantage. In alotrophagia, not only is the stomach filled impulsively , but also the substances ingested are not nutritious and in many cases are toxic.

To understand the psychological mechanisms behind Pica syndrome is to find the mental processes that reinforce this “loop” of actions that is maintained over time, giving up explanations based on the patient’s rational decisions.