Poor nutrition can lead to to it as well, and in this case, they tend to crave things such as ice or starch. People with developmental delays or autism also have Pica at higher rates. Many pregnant women have Pica tendencies, with chalk being a common craving. However, there are some conditions that correlate with a higher rate of this rare eating disorder. Certain Conditions Have A Higher Rate of Pica Xylophagia (wood, or derivates of wood such as paper)Ĥ.Trichophagia(hair, wool, and other fibers).Psychiatrists categorize Pica patients into different subtypes based on what they most commonly like to eat. Pica is defined as the intentional consumption of substances that don’t have significant nutritional value.

Scientists still don’t know what cases pica in animals, as there’s no sufficient evidence to definitively prove any current theories. Pica has also been observed in cats and dogs, but in these cases it can be a sign of a medical condition, such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. It’s been observed in other animals such as chimpanzees. The disorder reached its apex in the 16th through the 18th Centuries, when it was extensively documented and researched in Europe. It’s been observed throughout history all over the world, in both premodern and modern cultures. The puzzling phenomenon known as Pica has been described in historical accounts since ancient times. It’s not a well-known disorder, so here are a few facts everyone should know about it. People with Pica find themselves eating things such as dirt, chalk, or even more dangerous objects that can lead to serious consequences. Pica refers to the persistent craving and compulsive eating of nonfood substances. Pica is one type of rare eating disorder that seems odd and almost fake to many people, but is in fact a serious and potentially life-threatening mental health condition. While those are certainly worth discussing, there are also more rare eating disorders that are not as well known. The conversation around eating disorders is usually limited to well known conditions like bulimia or anorexia.

Pica symptoms in adults