12-18-2011, 07:47 AM
Well, the official word is I have PICA.
But I can tell you, after all these years living in my skin, I blame my mother. Not in a messed up, refusing to be adult sort of way, but when I was small I was always thirsty and I didn't sleep much. O.K., so even now I am always thirsty and I still don't sleep much.
Anyway, I had chronic tonsillitis which makes swallowing difficult and in an effort to keep me in my bed she started giving me washcloths stuffed with ice chips to chew/suck on. She would also do this while I read or watched t.v. I LOVED the taste and feel of the fabric. As I got older it became more of a desire for the fabric softener itself (although I do admit I will still chew on washcloths).
I consider it a learned behavior, not Pica.
But I can tell you, after all these years living in my skin, I blame my mother. Not in a messed up, refusing to be adult sort of way, but when I was small I was always thirsty and I didn't sleep much. O.K., so even now I am always thirsty and I still don't sleep much.
Anyway, I had chronic tonsillitis which makes swallowing difficult and in an effort to keep me in my bed she started giving me washcloths stuffed with ice chips to chew/suck on. She would also do this while I read or watched t.v. I LOVED the taste and feel of the fabric. As I got older it became more of a desire for the fabric softener itself (although I do admit I will still chew on washcloths).
I consider it a learned behavior, not Pica.
PS. If you can, try your hand at giving some of the others a bit of feedback. If you already have, thanks, can you do some more?