Pica

What is Pica?

Pica is an eating disorder characterised by the persistent consumption of non-food, non-nutritive substances such as dirt, paint chips, starch, hair, paper, or ice, involving the repeated ingestion of items not considered food and lacking nutritional value, and it is not related to body image or weight concerns.

Research suggests that approximately 1.1% of adults experience recurrent pica behaviours, while about 5% of youth aged 7 to 14 show similar patterns.

How Does Pica Feel?

For the Person with Pica

Living with pica can be confusing and dangerous:

• Strong Urges: You might feel powerful urges to eat non-food items. These cravings can feel as strong as hunger for regular food.
• It Feels Normal: The urge to eat these items might feel natural or necessary, not strange or wrong.
• Different from Hunger: These cravings are separate from normal hunger. You might eat regular food normally but still want to eat non-food items.
• Hard to Control: Even knowing it's dangerous, the urge to eat these items can be very hard to resist.
• Physical Discomfort: You might experience stomach pain, constipation, or other physical problems from eating non-food items.

For Family and Friends

Families often experience:

• Fear and Worry: Watching someone eat dangerous items is terrifying, especially when it could cause serious health problems.
• Confusion: It's hard to understand why someone would eat things that aren't food.
• Constant Vigilance: You might feel like you need to watch the person constantly to prevent them from eating dangerous items.
• Shame or Embarrassment: Families might feel embarrassed about the behaviour and avoid talking about it.

What Causes Pica?

Nutritional Deficiencies

• Iron deficiency anaemia
• Zinc deficiency
• Other vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• The body might be trying to get nutrients it's missing

Medical Conditions

Pica often occurs with other mental health disorders associated with impaired functioning, including:

• Intellectual disabilities
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Developmental delays

Other Factors

• Pregnancy (especially craving ice or starch)
• Stress or trauma
• Cultural practices (in some cultures, eating certain non-food items is normal)
• Lack of supervision in children

Signs and Symptoms

Eating Behaviours

• Eating non-food items for at least one month
• The behaviour is not normal for the person's age or culture
• Common items include: paper, soap, cloth, hair, dirt, paint, metal, ice, starch

Physical Signs

Pica can cause serious health problems:

• Stomach pain or constipation
• Dental damage
• Poisoning (especially lead poisoning from paint)
• Infections or parasites
• Intestinal blockages
• Nutritional deficiencies

Behavioural Signs

• Hiding the eating behaviour
• Having non-food items available
• Showing little interest in regular food
• Appearing to enjoy eating non-food items

Health Risks

Pica can cause serious health problems:

Poisoning

• Lead poisoning from paint chips (most common)
• Can cause brain damage, seizures, or death
• Even small amounts can affect memory and behaviour

Infections

• Parasites from eating dirt
• Bacterial infections
• Can cause fever, brain inflammation, or heart problems

Digestive Problems

• Intestinal blockages requiring surgery
• Stomach ulcers or tears
• Severe constipation

Dental Problems

• Broken or damaged teeth
• Gum injuries
• Tooth loss

Getting Help

Medical Evaluation

Early detection and treatment is important because of serious health risks.

First Steps:

• See a doctor immediately
• Get blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies
• Test for poisoning or infections
• Check for intestinal blockages

Treatment Approaches

The first-line treatment for pica involves testing for mineral or nutrient deficiencies and correcting those. In many cases, concerning eating behaviours disappear as deficiencies are corrected.

Behavioural Interventions:

• Redirecting attention away from non-food items
• Rewarding the person for not eating non-food items
• Teaching safer alternatives
• Environmental changes to remove dangerous items

Medical Monitoring:

• Regular check-ups to monitor health
• Treatment for any complications
• Ongoing nutritional support

Who Gets Pica?

Age Groups

• Can affect children, teens, and adults
• More common in young children (but normal mouthing behaviour under age 2 is not pica)
• Can continue into adulthood if not treated

Special Populations

• People with intellectual disabilities
• People with autism
• Pregnant women (27.8% worldwide show pica behaviours)
• People with other mental health conditions

Geographic Differences

• More common in developing countries
• Often related to food insecurity and malnutrition
• Cultural factors can influence what items are eaten

Emergency Situations

Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) if someone:

• Ate something poisonous (paint, chemicals, etc.)
• Is having trouble breathing
• Is vomiting blood
• Has severe stomach pain
• Shows signs of poisoning (confusion, seizures, etc.)

Prevention and Support

For Families

• Remove dangerous items from the environment
• Provide proper nutrition
• Supervise young children
• Don't punish the behaviour, get professional help
• Learn about the condition

For Schools and Caregivers

• Be aware of the signs
• Keep dangerous items away
• Report concerns to parents or guardians
• Support professional treatment

Recovery and Hope

What Recovery Looks Like

• Stopping the urge to eat non-food items
• Better physical health
• Improved nutrition
• Reduced health complications
• Better quality of life

Treatment Success

Many people with pica can recover, especially when:

• Nutritional deficiencies are corrected
• Underlying conditions are treated
• Behavioural interventions are used
• Families are supportive

Important Facts

• Pica is dangerous: Eating non-food items can cause serious health problems or death
• It's treatable: Many people recover with proper treatment
• It's not a choice: People with pica have real urges they can't easily control
• Nutrition matters: Fixing nutritional deficiencies often helps
• Get help quickly: Early treatment prevents serious complications

Key Takeaways

Pica is a serious eating disorder that can be life-threatening. It's a real medical condition that needs professional treatment. If you or someone you know is eating non-food items regularly, get medical help right away. Many cases of pica can be successfully treated, especially when caught early. The most important thing is safety. Remove dangerous items from the environment and get professional help to address the underlying causes.