Eating disorder

My 3 yr. old eats dirt, cardboard, mud, paper, drywall, chalk, crayons, and he has started chewing on his shirst recently.  When I told his doctor about him eating dirt over a year ago he said it was a phase, but he is still eating non-food things, and it is getting worse.  I took him to an herbalist for allergies and she diagnosed him with pica and started him on a powder, but it didn't help.  What do I do?  I am so afraid he is going to get sick from all the stuff he eats, esp. the drywall!!  HELP!!!


This discussion is related to shirt chewing.

[specialmom]

Yes, I would be very concerned.  Heaven forbid he gets a hold of something poisonous and I don't know the effect of the items he is already eating . . .but I'm sure you want this to stop.  

I think your herbalist was right about pica.  I think I would follow up with his doctor or A doctor if his doctor doesn't listen.  Perhaps supplementing with things from the herbalist and whatever common courses of therapy apply with pica would help the situation.  

I'd research pica as quickly as possible and then contact  a doctor for an appt for your son.  Chewing on shirts is actually pretty common and is most likely a way of soothing himself.  I have a child who does this and we offer him more appropriate alternatives than his clothes to chew on.  The other things are definately out of the ordinary.  Good luck and be your son's advocate!!