There are so many addictions that are out there. It can either be cigarettes, alcohol or just plain sex. But there is an addiction that goes unnoticed more than anything else and that is PICA. PICA is a condition in which an individual ingests foreign items in place of food. Items can consist of paper, dirt, toothbrushes, needles, soap, paint, nail polish and many other substances.The individual may be embarrassed to come out with their addiction. If the addiction is found the person can be ridiculed by other loved ones and friends. Because the addiction isn't quite understood by the general public, people will give advice like "Just stop eating it" or "Why can't you just stop?" This leaves the individual in a situation where they feel ashamed, cast out and alone. Well, I'm here to bring awareness to this very real medical condition. A person is often deemed as mentally unfit, feeble minded or just plain weird because people can't understand the addiction. Often this condition occurs when the body is in a deficit of a certain mineral or substance in the body. For example, if the body is in a deficit of salt your cravings may consist of french fries, which in return replenishes the salt lost in the body. But then if the body is in a deficit of iron the body may not immediately recognize it. The body may need a certain mineral and the body will get this from any source. Tree bark which is then turned into paper contains high levels of iron in it. So then the body may start to crave paper instead of a vitamins, which is the healthier option. This results in a paper addiction. It is important for the public not to judge these people so harshly. If we can make programs for drugs and alcohol victims that show compassion and understanding, then why can't we make programs to support people in a PICA related addiction? Feel free to comment as you see fit.
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