Is it insane to crave things such as chalk, sand, etc?

[erica05973]

For some reason, I always get cravings to EAT sand, shells, chalk, brick, etc.

I heard somewhere this might mean my body is lacking something if it is wanting me to eat that ****.

Also, I might want to add it is not all nonnutritive substances, it is only gritty dry things LIKE shells, sand etc.

[warbo]

hello my girlfriend eats ALOT of cardboard, paper, toilet roll ect and goes thru 5 cigarette packets a day. She also eats newspapers and whole cardboard boxes. I really want to know if this can harm her? She had bullimia in the past and im wondering if her eatin cardboard relates to this? I try and stop her but she gets angry about it and just says she needs it. What is this doin 2 her and why is she doing it? Someone please help.

[celticgal]

im so sorry for posting it here.


i thought no one wud anser it there so i just posted it here

really sorry.
ill go to a doctor

thnx

[Renee Radenberg]

Please ask your question in the forum, not in someone else's question. Go to a doctor to get help with Pica. Thank you

[celticgal]

hey omg ive got Pica no wonder my stomach hurts when i start my periods and my food takes quite a while digesting and i have aneamia.
im scared to go to the doctor though what will they do to me?

plz plz help me im so scared, somewhere it sed u cn die aswell

ive totally stopped eating all tht kinda stuff nw , bt i just dnt know what the doctor might say or do to me. help me sumone!

[Renee Radenberg]

There is an eating disorder called 'Pica' which children and adults eat non-food objects. Pica occurs more frequently with children. The causes of Pica are unknown, however, certain situations may increase the risk to it such as nutritional deficiencies of iron or zinc (the nonfood items craved usually do not supple the minerals lacking in the body), malnutrition (seen in underdeveloped countries where people will eat clay or soil), development problems (mental disabilities, and autism) and mental health conditions (obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia). Consumption of some non-food object maybe harmless, however, Pica is considered a serious eating disorder that may result in serious health issues such as lead poisoning and iron deficiency anemia. I am not saying you have Pica, but I do suggest you go to your MD and get checked.