Teen eats glass, paper due to rare pica

An 18-year-old is speaking out about his rare condition, pica, which causes him to compulsively eat non-food items like glass, teeth, and paper. This behavior has physical health implications. The teen, who has had pica for his entire life, shared his experiences on Reddit and with UNILAD. Pica, according to the Cleveland Clinic, involves the compulsive ingestion of non-food items. The teen reports stomach issues and iron deficiency. While common in children, pica affects only a small percentage of adults. The teen's consumption of non-edible items, like glass and paper, has caused him to experience stomach issues.