A lot of times kids respond to stress in their life differently than adults. They don’t have the vocabulary to express themself, so they often act it out in forms of changing eating behaviors, stomachache and other behaviors as well.

The stress we’re talking about could be mundane everyday stress – when kids are frustrated, mad, or tired.  Or, it could be the added anxiety of going to a new place, starting school again, etc.  You’ll see more chewing behavior with increasing amount of perceived stress.

Because I worked mainly mainly military families. They move every 2-3 years, that put a lot of stress on the kids. I see a lot of kids either act out in a change of behaviors or eating behaviors. Because every few years, you have to say goodbye to your best friends, and have to learn a new routine, new schools and new friends.

 Chewing is very calming and organizing.  It’s similar to how older kids and adults bite their fingernails. Did you know nail-biting is a sign of anxiety. It’s just that it’s so common, no one thinks much about it.

PICA is s disorder when someone eats non-food items. The most common items are ice, dirt, clay, sand, paper, etc.

PICA is usually a sign of mineral deficiency, most common, iron deficiency. That’s why PICA is common in pregnant women when their iron needs suddenly increased dramatically.

I have seen kids eaten rocks, bugs, insects, their own poop, etc.

Going back to our case study.

Based on my initial assessment and seeing his behaviors and interaction. I did a few things for him.

I referred him to Child Behavioral Health for his anxiety and possibly ADHD. I also refer him to Pediatric GI to make sure he does not have any intestinal damage from eating paper and wood.

When you eat too much non-food items, such as paper, which our digestion system is not meant to process, you can end up with something call bezoar. It is basically a huge lump of junk literally stuck inside the intestines and may need surgery to get it out.

Another thing I did was check his blood count and iron level. Remember, PICA is often caused by low mineral levels, especially iron.

I talked to my Psychologist colleague who saw the boy. He diagnosed with him ADHD and anxiety and referred him for behavioral therapy. Mom didn’t want to start medications, so we worked on his diet.

Peds GI cleared him without having to do any scope or procedures.

His iron came back low, and I started him on iron, and the family cleaned up his diet removed all processed junk food.

He followed up with me on a monthly basis. Finally, he stopped eating pencils and paper. He would catch himself trying to bite the pencil but would stop himself before he does. He’s less hyperactive, and his iron level was corrected.

Mom was so happy with the results. I haven’t seen him after that, because the family moved back to the mainland.

I also want to bring up one other reason why your child put non-food items in his or her mouth. It’s a developmental delay. Babies and toddlers put everything in their mouths and that’s developmentally appropriate. But if your 5 year old still putting random objects in the mouth, that could be a sign of developmental delay, especially there are other signs of delay as well.

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.