Pica - Eating disorder : Do you have it?

We have talked about Bulimia and Anorexia but there is another type disorder which many choose to ignore because it is not life threatening. It is called Pica which means eating non-nutritive substances like chalk, paper, mud, wood, matches, clay, raw rice, dry flour, powder, pebbles etc. There is no exact scientific reasoning for why an adult would eat these things knowing that they shouldn't be consumed. Some toddlers eat this stuff. Most studies have shown that this is most prevalent in anemic (deficiency of Iron) and some with deficiency of Magnesium.

This is not exactly a debate but more of a discussion

1. Do you or anyone you know consume anything non-nutritive or any odd substance?

2. Have you ever craved for such things or seen anyone who feels like eating wet mud during rain or enjoying the smell of wet mud?

3. Have you seen any changes in yourself or people you know who consume such items? Like withdrawl, irritated or sad.

4. Do you think such people need counseling or is it something normal which would go away?

Any thoughts on the topic welcome.

Originally posted by: Maya_M

4. Do you think such people need counseling or is it something normal which would go away?

Any thoughts on the topic welcome.

For kids its natural eating crayons, chalk, mud (chalk/mud my personal favs😆), its not right for whatever reason requires parental intervention (no pulling ears pls it hurts😳 😆) . Adults eating glass and other thing you mentioned, NOT right - needs counselling. BTW - does eating raw maggi comes under this category😉😆

hmmm... i remember i loved nibbling chalk every now and then when i was a kid 😳 but that's about it. i still love the smell of mitti after very first showers. my younger daughter ate paper on and off when she was a toddler but got over it. I don't think we did it to an extent for it being a disorder.

Originally posted by: Dabulls23

When I was younger I have seen some kids eating paper, chalk, mitti, and mud back home. Thought of it as some sort of deficiency not as eating disorder 😳

Do I fit into this catagory if I love eating ice, or raw rice and bajri millet. Something wrong with me Dr. Maya M 😳 😆

DB jaan, As I mentioned toddlers do eat these things for no reason or due to deficiency and it goes off. My main question is for adults. I have heard some eating matchhead of matchstick which has phosphorus.

So you are my first patient eating raw rice😆. When did you start and how often do you crave? If you don't get it when you feel like then do you feel some sort of pressure or do you just divert attention?

Originally posted by: raj5000

Adults eating glass and other thing you mentioned, NOT right - needs counselling.

BTW - does eating raw maggi comes under this category😉😆

The reason of craving glass and raw rice or any such substance is same.

😃 Raw Maggi? Hmm....how often? If it is only when you open the Maggi cover then fine. But if you eat whole pkt of raw Maggi then kuch to problem hai.😆😆

My dogs eat things like that. 😳 😆

Do Adults really eat those kinds of things? Is it just an eating disorder,or some kind of mental disability? 😊

Originally posted by: Gauri_3

hmmm... i remember i loved nibbling chalk every now and then when i was a kid 😳 but that's about it. i still love the smell of mitti after very first showers. my younger daughter ate paper on and off when she was a toddler but got over it. I don't think we did it to an extent for it being a disorder.

This is quite normal Gauri. 😊

Originally posted by: -xx-Roohani-xx-

My dogs eat things like that. 😳 😆

Do Adults really eat those kinds of things? Is it just an eating disorder,or some kind of mental disability? 😊

@lol at dogs

That is the main question here. If the craving is too much, if it is a daily thing then something needs to be done.

Originally posted by: Maya_M

@lol at dogs

That is the main question here. If the craving is too much, if it is a daily thing then something needs to be done.

Of course,something definatly needs to be done. The person probably has some kind of problem within them.Wether it be mentally,physicaly,emotionaly or whatever. This is something that I've never heard before.I mean,children-yes.They don't know any better and put whatever they see in their mouth.But adults,who know very well the danger that comes form these things, why would they eat something like that? This is very intruiging.

So,yes...I most definatly think a person with such cravings should be introduced to a some sort of doctor or psychologist. 😊

-Roohani