PICA and Eating Disorders: What Is The Connection?

stressed girl

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

While many people will experience the odd craving for a particular food or food combination every now and then, the cravings for substances that are “non-nutritive” should not be taken lightly. Pica disorder is a condition in which individuals crave eating nonfood items, such as clay, chalk, sand, soil, metal, paint, glass, paper, etc.

These type of substances may be desirable for the actual flavor or due to texture, and the substance is typically ingested persistently over at least one month of time.

Complications Associated With Pica Disorder

While initially this behavior may appear benign or harmless, there are many potential complications of pica disorder, including toxicity from ingestion of poisonous/toxic substances, blockages in the digestive tracts and/or severe gastrointestinal complications, malnutrition, and more. Any individual who is suspected to have Pica disorder should be evaluated and monitored by a comprehensive team that might include both a physician and mental health professionals.

Paints Cans on a shelfPica disorder is often co-occurring with other mental health disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, developmental/learning disabilities, schizophrenia, and more. Because the consumption of non-nutritive substances can overtake the desire to eat foods that support normal health, growth, and development, pica can lead to overall malnutrition, unintended weight loss. These factors can result in further health complications for the individual struggling with pica disorder.

Seeking Out Appropriate Help and Treatment

While it may seem embarrassing to seek out help for a problem like pica disorder, comprehensive care is imperative for recovery and prevention of more severe complications. Treatment techniques often include a combination of therapies that may be individualized for the person dealing with this disorder as well as appropriate medical and nutritional interventions to address the many concerns involved with pica.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be dealing with pica disorder, be sure to speak with your doctor about the signs and symptoms you are experiencing to determine what course of treatment may be right for you.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

If you are in recovery from pica disorder, what resources were helpful for you and in connecting you to treatment?


Crystal Headshot 2About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 18, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com