Bedford woman's strange addiction: Eating 2.2 pounds of rocks daily due to Pica disorder
At the age of 44, Teresa openly admitted on the "My Strange Addiction" program, that she has been consuming rocks since she was just 20 years old. Some days, Teresa consumes up to 2.2 pounds of rocks. This unusual preference for stones is a result of Pica disorder. What exactly is Pica disorder, and where does it come from?
Teresa's long-standing addiction to eating rocks
Teresa vividly recalls tasting a rock for the first time at 20 years old. Her preference for stones has persisted till now, with a notable inclination towards granite-containing rocks. She also consumes rocks composed of a variety of minerals. Teresa breaks the stones into smaller pieces with a hammer before consumption to prevent tooth damage.
"I'm addicted to eating stones. I don't think I could get through a day without them. I love their earthy smell and crunchiness," said Teresa during her appearance on the "My Strange Addiction" program.
Pica disorder: The compulsion to consume inedible substances
As per the Enel Health portal, Pica is a mental disorder categorized under obsessive-compulsive disorders, a subset of neuroses. Those afflicted with this disorder have an extreme desire to consume typically inedible substances like chalk, ice, hair, various types of fabrics, and even rocks, as in Teresa's case.
The Enel Health portal explains that nutritional deficiencies, such as lack of calcium, group B and C vitamins, iron, or zinc, can trigger Pica disorder. In 44-year-old Teresa's case, who consumes rocks, her Pica disorder is believed to have developed due to a lack of mineral salts.
People diagnosed with Pica disorder usually undergo psychotherapy, while more severe cases are treated with a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
