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when i was in year 8, id bite the led out of mechanical pencils. this led to me eating entire pen lids and a whole array of other things (wooden beads, pens (whole), metal, etc.) i know its probably a texture thing because i like the feeling of having something to chew. i looked up the diagnostic criteria for pica and it said that youd need to have the behaviour for around a month (this started mid year eight and im now in year nine) i do eat actual food at the same time but i like the texture of non nutritional objects and its a habit i cant shake.
Sam
Hi there,
Pica is when someone eats non-edible items. People of all genders and ages may do this, but it’s often more common in younger children or with people with autism or learning difficulties. Pica can be dangerous for your health, so it’s important to get support if you’re experiencing it.
If you think you’ve been eating non-edible items then it’s important to speak to a doctor so they can support you. Talking to a trusted adult about what you’re doing can also help, especially when you’re worried about speaking to the doctor on your own.
It can be helpful to keep a record of what you’ve been eating and when, either yourself or by using our mood journal tool. You can always share this record with the adults around you to help them understand what you’re doing.
Remember, if you’ve eaten something and it’s making you feel unwell, it’s important to get some medical advice. You can call the NHS on 111 any time, or phone 999 in an emergency.
Lots of young people speak to Childline about their eating. You might find it helpful to go on the message boards to speak to other young people about coping with Pica, or to get support from a Childline counsellor.
Take care,
Sam
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