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Woman addictedto eating baby powder wants others to know 'they are not alone'

Awoman in the U.K. was secretly gorging onbaby powder for 10 years before her ex-partner discovered the bizarre habit,which she is now seeking professional help for.Lisa Anderson, who said she has depression and anxiety and has been told shemay be suffering from pica, is awaiting a formal diagnosis.

She said her symptoms first started after the birth of her fifthson 15 years ago.

Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating items nottypically considered food and that have no nutritional value. Symptoms includepersistent eating of these types of substances, which can include dirt, hair,metal, pebbles, ash, clay and others. Risk factors include other mental healthdisorders such as schizophrenia or autism, as well as iron-deficiency anemiaand malnutrition, according to NationalEatingDisorders.org.

Anderson, 44, said she spends around $13 a week keeping up withher habit, which revolves around bottles of Johnson’s baby powder.

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