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Eating disorders

Pica

Persistent eating of non-food substances (earth, paper, ice, chalk) for at least one month, in an age-inappropriate manner.

Common signs

Eats soil, paper or other substancesMay be linked to nutritional deficienciesRisk of poisoning or digestive problems

Tips

For you

  1. Medical check-up to rule out deficiencies such as iron
  2. Supervise and remove risky objects
  3. Behavioural intervention

For family and friends

  1. Remove risky objects and substances
  2. Offer safe things to chew

When to ask for help

  1. If they have swallowed something toxic: 112 or the Spanish Toxicology Information Service 91 562 04 20
  2. If there is abdominal pain or vomiting

Are you having a really hard time? If you're thinking of harming yourself, call 024 (free, 24 hours) or 112.

Test for families

For parents or relatives: answer thinking about the child or person you are worried about, over the last few weeks. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Eats things that aren't food (soil, paper, chalk, ice)
2. Does it repeatedly
3. It lasts more than a month
4. Is over two years old
5. Does it in secret
6. Has had digestive problems
7. Looks for these substances even when they are taken away
8. Has been found to have anaemia or other deficiencies

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveFree guide: Childhood and youthFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Rumination disorderEating disordersAvoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)Eating disordersAnorexia nervosaEating disordersBulimia nervosaEating disorders

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.