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*
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Anxious mood
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Depressed mood
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
*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 | Proportion | # of patients |
---|---|---|
<20 | 4 | |
20s | 7 | |
30s | 7 | |
40s | 6 | |
50s | 1 | |
60s | 1 | |
70+ | 1 |
Distribution of sex
Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
---|---|---|
Male | 7 | |
Female | 19 |