Two Eating Disorders You Didn't Know Existed
Most everyone is at least vaguely familiar with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. However, there are other disorders that are related to eating. Here is a look at two of them:
Pica
Pica is a disorder that isn't very well understood. It is the craving, sometimes obsessive and compulsive, for things that aren't really food and offer little to no nutritional value. Commonly ingested things include sand, glue, sawdust, chalk, plaster, paint chips, dirt, and ashes. While there may be an underlying mineral deficiency, such as zinc or iron, this isn't always the case.
Obviously, eating non-foods items can be very dangerous. Paint chips may have lead in them, which can cause lead poisoning (two of the symptoms of which are memory and cognitive impairment and infertility). Sand and soil have pathogens and parasites in them. It also can contain animal feces and urine in them. Eating soil can introduce fungi, bacteria, and viruses to your body. Eating non-foods can also cause a bowel obstruction or any other number issues, from malnutrition to dental issues to mercury poisoning.
Pica, while relatively rare, is more common in pregnant women. However, the craving usually goes away after they give birth. Pregnant women who do have odd cravings should tell their obstetrician immediately; indulging these cravings can be dangerous for both the mother and the developing fetus.
While it is imperative to have a thorough physical and nutritional workup done, even when mineral or vitamin deficiencies are found and corrected, this doesn't always alleviate the pica issue, and nutritional deficiencies aren't always present. There appears to be a concomitant obsessive-compulsive disorder component with pica.
Sleep Eating Disorder
This disorder is both a sleeping and eating disorder. The person wakes during the night, sometimes repeatedly, and eats, only they aren't really awake, they are sleepwalking. The sleep eating disorder sufferer is typically overweight. They also don't generally remember these "waking" and eating sessions. Not only are they at risk from all the things obese, compulsive eaters are at risk at, they are also at risk from the dangers of sleepwalking, which can include everything from falls to accidentally starting fires.
Often, in addition to a compulsive component to eating disorders, there is also a comorbid emotional element, such as anxiety, depression, or another psychiatric disorder. Treatments depend on many factors, and in a lot of cases, care is best received at an inpatient eating disorder treatment center.
Contact local inpatient eating disorder treatment centers for more information and assistance.
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