What is pica?

Pica is a rare of behavior characterized by eating non-food materials. Pica may be associated with behavioral and developmental disorders. Some research suggests that the disorder is a specific craving caused by a mineral deficiency, such as iron deficiency.

How do members experience pica?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with pica*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for pica*

Who has pica on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 3
20s 8
30s 9
40s 6
50s 1
60s 1
70+ 1

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 7
Female 20

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What is pica?

Pica is a rare of behavior characterized by eating non-food materials. Pica may be associated with behavioral and developmental disorders. Some research suggests that the disorder is a specific craving caused by a mineral deficiency, such as iron deficiency.



Common symptoms reported by people with pica


Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for pica

Let’s build this page together! When you share what it’s like to have pica through your profile, those stories and data appear here too.

Got a question about living with pica? Members in the forum might have the answers.


Compare treatments taken by people with pica

Let’s build this page together! When you share what it’s like to have pica through your profile, those stories and data appear here too.

Got a question about living with pica? Members in the forum might have the answers.



Who has pica on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 0 new patients joined this month
  • 18 say pica is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 3
20s 8
30s 9
40s 6
50s 1
60s 1
70+ 1
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 5
20-29 years 0
30-39 years 0
40-49 years 0
50-59 years 0
60-69 years 0
70+ years 0

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 7
Female 20

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 4
Not Diagnosed 3

These charts show data from pica patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: