Pica is a rare eating disorder that affects about 1.1% of women and men, as well as 5% of youth aged 5-7 years. Although it’s usually found in developing countries, where it may be a response to malnutrition and food scarcity, pica is found in the United States, too.
Babies and toddlers frequently put nonfood items in their mouths to test out sensations and textures. That’s perfectly normal behavior, though you should ensure that the objects are sanitary and too large to swallow.
But if your child is older and seeks out non-food items — or if you do it yourself — you may need treatment to stop pica. Without therapy, pica can lead to serious complications, including:
At The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling, we offer therapy for a wide variety of eating disorders, including pica. Our counselors help uncover the underlying reasons for pica, and design a treatment program to remedy the behavior.
Do you suspect your new cravings signal that you have pica? Following are a few scenarios where it might.
Cravings during pregnancy can go beyond the stereotypical requests for “pickles and ice cream.” This temporary form of pica may make you crave the taste and texture of nonfood items, including:
There’s really no end to the number of cravings you may have. Even if you never put a hair or cube of ice into your mouth, simply thinking about your cravings may disrupt your day and make it hard to concentrate or get things done.
We help you refocus with therapy. Part of therapy may also involve finding safe, soft substitutes for the craved item. For instance, actually biting ice may cause you to break a tooth.
Craving and eating nonfood items could also put you and your baby in danger. There may be chemicals or pathogens that could harm you. If you actually do start ingesting nonfood items, call us immediately.
Whether from choice or circumstance, you may find that you don’t eat a wide variety of foods. Or, perhaps, you suffer from food insecurity and don’t have enough food.
Sometimes pica is caused by underlying nutritional deficiencies. You may find yourself craving mineral-rich nonfood items such as soil and clay in an attempt to fulfill your body’s needs.
Part of our workup for pica may be to determine your nutritional status. If we detect vitamin, mineral, or other nutritional deficiencies, your therapy may include a modified diet that emphasizes fresh whole foods, such as vegetables and lean proteins.
If you have sickle-cell anemia, you may be low in the mineral iron. Low iron is associated with pica.
When you have sickle-cell anemia, your body produces abnormal red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, they’re c-shaped and sticky. Without enough healthy red blood cells, your body can’t produce the iron it needs to transport oxygen through your blood.
We may make adjustments to your diet so that your body gets the nutrients it needs, including sufficient iron. We also work with your medical team to ensure that you get the right types of medical treatments and stay as healthy as possible.
You or your child may suffer from various mental health disorders that raise the risk for pica. Conditions that may go hand-in-hand with pica include:
Your or your child’s pica may be an attempt to self-sooth. We recommend evidence-based interactive therapies that help you or your child find more appropriate ways of dealing with stress and ensure you get the nutrition you need.
Don’t hide your pica in shame: Get the help your or your child needs by contacting our expert eating-disorders team by phone or using our online form today.
