Does my friend have pica (the eating disorder)?

Question

A friend of mine, I recently discovered, frequently eats grass, pencil shavings, erasers, and paper. He says that he eats grass because he likes the taste, but he eats paper when he is upset. I have seen him eat grass quite often, as well as a soft plastic knife (albeit very slowly, and he only managed the tip), a wedge-cap eraser, and almost half of a paper tablecloth. It sounds comical, but since seeing him eat the tablecloth I've been sort of worried. Does he have pica? Are these habits a risk to his health? Is there some sort of psychological reason for his compulsions to eat non-food substances? Any sort of input would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Yup this would probably be diagnosed as pica.

Pica is defined as an abnormal appetite for non-food items.

He should definitely see his doctor because these habits can potentially be harmful to his health or caused by disease. Eating stuff like this can potentially lead to digestive problems, dental injury, or intestinal blockage.

It can be a sign of iron deficiency and hookworm infection. It also commonly seen in people with developmental disorders, epilepsy and in some pregnant women.

Answer 2

He needs to take a powerful Multiple vitamin morning and night to get his vitamins in balance. This is typical of his vitamins being totally out of balance. Lots of B's, Iron and D.

Good Luck.