Comprehensive Guide to Signs and Symptoms of Pica Disorder

This article will provide readers with a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms associated with pica disorder.

Eating disorders represent a category of mental health conditions that have several contributing factors and a strong potential for other health complications. Being able to identify pica disorder signs and symptoms can empower you to see red flags and get help when needed. 

Pica disorder is characterized as an eating disorder that impacts children where an individual consumes non-food items. Early diagnosis and effective intervention are key to preventing complications and health risks from pica disorder symptoms. 

A diagnosis of pica needs to meet with all four of the following:

1. Persistent eating of non-food substances for at least one month.
2. The eating of non-food and non-nutritive foods is inappropriate for the development level of the child. 
3. The eating behavior is not socially acceptable or culturally supported. 
4. The eating behavior comes within the context of a secondary mental health disorder like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or intellectual developmental disorder. 

An individual struggling with signs and symptoms of pica disorder will behaviorally deal with eating non-nutritive, non-food substances on a regular basis over the span of at least one month. This behavioral symptom has to be severe enough that it warrants clinical attention.

The types of substances ingested are different based on age and availability and include things like:

• Wool
• Soil
• Chalk
• Cloth
• String
• Hair
• Paper
• Soap
• Talcum powder
• Metal
• Paint
• Gum
• Pebbles
• Coal
• Charcoal
• Ash
• Ice
• Starch
• Clay

The term non-food does not apply to things with minimal nutrition, and an individual who has Pica disorder symptoms is not avoiding food in general but continuing to eat non-food items at the same time.

The minimum age for this to develop is two years, and the normal mouthing of objects that young children and infants do during key developmental time frames must be excluded, and actual ingestion must be included. This can be a separate diagnosis if it’s severe enough but is usually accompanied by another mental health disorder.

Note: Pica disorder symptoms are most often prevalent among school-age children, around 5%, but one-third of pregnant women with food insecurity also engage in Pica behaviors. 

Physical symptoms of Pica disorder have to do with the deficiencies that most people experience as a result of eating non-food items. Most often, there are zinc, iron, and other vitamin or mineral deficiencies. However, there can be other physical signs and symptoms from medical complications, including:

• Intestinal perforation
• Toxocariasis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Poisoning
• Mechanical bowel problems

Most of the physical signs are directly related to the item or items being ingested. For example, an individual who eats dirt or feces might get toxoplasmosis, but someone who ingests lead-based paint might be poisoned.

Pica eating disorder symptoms can impact daily function by resulting in mental or physical health problems, sometimes problems that are protracted and develop later in life after an individual has struggled with pica for a while.

Individuals might struggle with personal relationships if they are pregnant women and run the risk of intestinal obstruction, poisoning, and even acute weight loss. Depending on what is ingested, not only does this condition have an impact on daily functioning, but it could be fatal.

As mentioned, there are several complications and potential health risks associated with this disorder. The most serious of these is a fatality related to the ingestion of harmful and toxic substances. Beyond that, there are several risks of intestinal complications, including things like bowel problems, which interfere with the body ridding itself of normal toxins, as well as intestinal perforation, which may require surgery.

Additional health risks and complications include toxoplasmosis, regular deficiencies that can lead to severe health complications, and weight loss. 

So, what are some red flags for parents or caregivers as well as spouses of pregnant women? The biggest red flag is seeing someone eating and ingesting things on a regular basis that they shouldn’t be. Let’s look at two scenarios:

Jose is three. He likes to pick up toys in the house and put them in his mouth. He puts the corners of books in his mouth, chewing on them before spitting them out. He likes to place blanket corners and clothing in his mouth as well. He has been doing this for several months.

Jonathan is three. He likes to put his clothes in his mouth, like his socks, and chew them up and then eat them; he swallows what he chews apart. He also likes to eat rocks, swallowing them like candy when he goes outside. His parents have seen him eating out of a bowl of paint with a spoon-like soup.

When you look at these two situations, Jose is showing developmentally acceptable behaviors, and he isn’t actually ingesting any non-food items. Jonathan, by comparison, is ingesting all of the non-food items, and he does so with regularity. More importantly, when told not to eat something or that something is harmful, like the paint, It doesn’t stop him. In this instance, the parents of Jonathan would need to see immediate treatment to ensure that Jonathan is not rendered ill from the paint or any other substance he consumes. 

There are several instances during which you should seek help. The first is an immediate risk of danger from consuming a harmful substance. If you believe that someone has consumed something harmful to their health, like poison, it is important that you seek emergency medical care to help remove the toxic substance from their body before it causes any additional damage.

Beyond this, it is essential that you recognize the symptoms of Pica disorder early and seek professional treatment to help with this disorder and subsequent disorders. As mentioned, many people with these symptoms also have co-occurring mental health disorders, and getting treatment for both is imperative. Only with professional treatment can you prevent some of the more serious risks, including fatalities.

Pica eating disorder symptoms center on individuals who consume non-food items. This is most often seen in children over the age of two, as well as pregnant women with food insecurity. The items consumed can vary based on what is available in the home, but they present serious risks of things like bowel obstructions and poisoning. 

In many cases, symptoms of Pica disorder co-occur with another mental health disorder, so getting treatment immediately is important in managing both conditions. Don’t be afraid to seek help immediately if pica is suspected.