Pica in an eating disordered woman with multiple sclerosis: impulse dys-control, compulsive symptom or self-medication attempt?

Eat Weight Disord. 2010 Mar-Jun;15(1-2):e116-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03325290.

Abstract

We report about a complex case of pica in comorbidity with multiple sclerosis and binge eating disorder. Pica is classified among the feeding and eating disorders of infancy and early childhood, but there is a debate in the literature about the psychopathology and classification of this behavior. Some authors emphasize the similarities with the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, whereas others propose an interpretation of pica as an addiction or as an impulsive behavior. The clinical case that we describe provides a picture of impulsive and compulsive features that are very difficult to disentangle. It is noteworthy that hypercalcemia is reported to have a protective/therapeutic effect against multiple sclerosis and seems to increase the plasmatic levels of beta-endorphins. The nature, diagnostic classification, and functions of pica are a topic worthy of future investigation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Binge-Eating Disorder / complications*
  • Compulsive Behavior / complications
  • Compulsive Behavior / diagnosis
  • Depression / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / complications
  • Impulsive Behavior / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Pica / complications*
  • Pica / diagnosis