Pica Consuming Problem
Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the incessant consumption of non-nutritious substances that are not considered to be sustenance. A clinician must address persistent, severe patterns of behavior that last at least one month.
Depending on age and availability, substances that can be consumed include paper, soap, paint particles, fabric, string, hair, chalk, pebbles, charcoal, coal, metal, and clay, among others. Patients with pica typically have no aversion to food in general.
The practice is not supported by culture and is inappropriate for the individual’s level of development. Pica can begin in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, although childhood is the most prevalent age of onset. It is not diagnosed in children under the age of two. Infants and toddlers place tiny objects in their mouths as part of their normal development. Pica is frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, but it can also affect children whose development is otherwise typical.
Individuals with pica are susceptible to intestinal blockages or detrimental effects from substances they ingest (such as lead in paint chips).
