Do I Have Pica Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. When you encounter substances such as dirt, chalk, paper, soap, clay, hair, ice, or similar items, what best describes your urge to eat them?
I do not experience an urge to eat nonfood substances
I have had a brief or isolated curiosity about tasting one
The urge recurs, but I can usually redirect my attention
The urge is strong, persistent, or difficult to resist
2. Outside ordinary food use or a recognized cultural practice, what happens when you try to reduce the behavior?
There is no behavior to reduce
I stopped after one experience without ongoing urges
I have reduced it, but urges or occasional episodes continue
Repeated attempts have not stopped it, or the behavior quickly returns
3. Has a nonfood item ever caused trouble with swallowing or breathing?
No such event has occurred
I had brief throat discomfort that cleared promptly
I have repeatedly coughed, gagged, or felt an item catch while swallowing
I could not breathe or swallow normally, an item became lodged, or emergency help was needed
4. What effect has seeking, hiding, or consuming nonfood substances had on ordinary activities?
It has had no effect because I do not do this
It has caused a brief inconvenience on one occasion
It sometimes interrupts meals, school, work, sleep, or social time
It regularly shapes my routine or causes significant disruption
5. After putting a nonfood substance in your mouth, what mouth or dental effect have you experienced?
No exposure or no mouth-related effect
Brief unpleasantness, dryness, or sensitivity that resolved
Recurring soreness, tooth pain, or noticeable tooth wear
A cut, significant bleeding, broken tooth, burn, or other injury
6. What is the most concerning type of nonfood substance you have swallowed?
I have not swallowed a nonfood substance
A small amount of a relatively low-hazard item, such as plain paper
An item whose ingredients, cleanliness, or safety were uncertain
A sharp object, battery, magnet, chemical, medicine not taken as directed, feces, paint, or potentially poisonous or contaminated material
7. Think about your most recent contact with a nonfood item. What happened?
I did not put a nonfood item in my mouth
I briefly tasted or mouthed it without swallowing
I swallowed a small amount
I swallowed it repeatedly or consumed a substantial amount
8. How long has the nonfood eating or recurring urge been present?
I have not experienced it
It appeared on one occasion or lasted less than a week
It has returned over several weeks but for less than a month
It has persisted or repeatedly returned for a month or longer
9. Across different places or situations, how does the pattern show up?
It does not occur in any setting
It occurred once in one specific situation
It recurs in one setting or around one trigger
It occurs across multiple settings, triggers, or times of day
10. If you decide not to consume a desired nonfood substance, what usually follows?
There is no desire to manage
The desire fades quickly without much effort
I remain preoccupied or need a deliberate distraction
I feel unable to move on or often consume it despite deciding not to
11. How has nonfood consumption affected eating, nutrition, or general physical functioning?
It has not affected these areas because it does not occur
It briefly reduced my appetite or displaced part of one meal
It repeatedly replaces food, affects appetite, or is accompanied by ongoing fatigue or weakness
It has been linked with weight change, fainting, marked weakness, dehydration, or a need for medical treatment
12. During the past month, how often have you intentionally swallowed something that is not ordinarily considered food?
Not at all
Once
On a few separate occasions
Weekly or more often
13. How open have you felt able to be about this behavior with someone you trust or a healthcare professional?
There is no behavior or urge I feel a need to disclose
I felt slightly hesitant about mentioning an isolated experience
I sometimes hide the behavior or avoid questions about it
I routinely conceal it, arrange privacy for it, or fear others discovering it
14. What digestive effect has followed nonfood consumption?
No consumption or no digestive effect
Brief mild nausea, fullness, or constipation
Repeated vomiting, persistent constipation, or recurring abdominal pain
Severe pain, blood, a swollen abdomen, inability to pass stool or gas, or collapse
15. How often do thoughts about the taste, texture, smell, or sensation of a nonfood substance draw your attention?
They do not occur
They have occurred occasionally without lingering
They return regularly or distract me for a while
They occupy a lot of my attention or drive me to seek the substance