#Eating chalk disorder manual

Despite this, studies conducted on substances consumed by pica patients failed to show increased iron bioavailability among these substances. Many population-based studies have found a low level of serum iron/ferritin (and other micronutrients) among patients with pica. Iron deficiency anemia has also been implicated. Studies of psychological factors have reported an association between pica and stress, child neglect and abuse, and maternal deprivation. Many factors have been implicated in the etiology of pica however, no direct causality has been established. It is not unusual to notice that younger children are frequently eating nonnutritive substances.

It is important to understand that in order to diagnose pica, the individual must be at least 2 years of age. Pica usually occurs as an isolated disorder but there are instances when it may co-exist with schizophrenia, OCD, and trichotillomania. In some parts of the world, the consumption of non-nutritive substances is culturally accepted. In women, it is most often seen during pregnancy. Īlthough pica is seen in children, it is also a common eating disorder in patients who are intellectually impaired. The nature of ingested items is variable, including but not limited to earth (geophagy), raw starches (amylophagy), ice (pagophagia), charcoal, ash, paper, chalk, cloth, baby powder, coffee grounds, and eggshells. For diagnosis, the behavior must persist for at least one month, not be in keeping with the child's developmental stage (and age cut off of 24 months or more is suggested by DSM V), and not be socially normative or culturally acceptable behavior. The term is derived from 'pica-pica,' the Latin word for the magpie bird, because of the bird's indiscriminate gathering and eating a variety of objects for the sake of curiosity.

#Eating chalk disorder manual

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines pica as eating nonnutritive, nonfood substances over a period of at least one month.