Treatment & Prevention

Treatment varies from person to person, however, the first part of treatment typically begins with a visit to a medical doctor to be scanned for any substances that might have caused a toxic reaction or blockage. Next, behavioral therapy is introduced. Usually, with behavioral treatment the individual is taught the effects that non-food substances can have on the body and the difference between food and non-food substances. A sort of mild aversion therapy can be used, as well that is followed by positive reinforcement. The final step usually involves a psychiatrist to medicate the individual, IF the cause is a developmental disability.

There is no known prevention for Pica disorder.


Information taken from:
http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/pica_disorder
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/001538.htm#Treatment

Treatment of Pica eating disorder

• Development of the treatment plan must take into account the symptoms of pica and contributory factors, as well as the management of possible complications of the disorder.
• Currently, behavioral strategies have been most effective in treating pica.
• No medical treatment is specific in the treatment of patients with pica.
• Therapy can be especially helpful in addressing the emotional consequences of this eating disorder, in preventing pica from leading to other eating disorders, and in working through any psychological causes that contributed to the onset of the condition.
• Medications to control cravings, stress, or depression
• Psychological counseling
• Medications may be helpful in reducing the abnormal eating behavior, if pica occurs in the course of a developmental disorder, such as mental retardation, or pervasive developmental disorder.

Additional information was taken from: http://www.depression-treatment-help.com/mental-disorders/pica.htm