Pica Behavior Resistant to Pharmacologic and Behavioral Treatment

David Ming Gui Tan and Aida Farina Ismail and Sharynol Emryan bin Ayub and Walton Wider and Noor Melissa Binti Nor Hadi and Sylas Sebastian Neela Sekhar and Mohd Nazri Mohd Daud and Natchana Bhutasang (2025) Pica Behavior Resistant to Pharmacologic and Behavioral Treatment. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry Ejournal, 34 (1). pp. 58-61. ISSN 2232-0385

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Abstract

To elucidate the rarity of pica in a patient with schizophrenia and intellectual disability and to highlight the complexities involved in managing this rare behavior through pharmacological and behavioral interventions. We present the case of Mr. H, a 67-year-old male with schizophrenia and intellectual disability, who exhibited persistent patterns of eating nonnutritive items 12 years after being treated with several first-generation antipsychotics. Although later diagnosed with anemia, there was no temporal relationship between his behavior and anemia. This case report highlights the challenges in understanding the causes of pica and its relationship with psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic medication use. It points to the necessity for an in-depth examination of complex behaviors, especially in patients who are unable to articulate their motivations behind challenging behaviors. Pica is often overlooked in mental health care, and this case emphasizes the urgent need for more research to improve our knowledge and treatment of this condition.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Antipsychotic agents, coprophagy, intellectual disability, pica, schizophrenia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC31-1245 Internal medicine > RC321-571 Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry > RC346-429 Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system Including speech disorders > RC435-571 Psychiatry > RC512-569.5 Psychopathology > RC512-528 Psychoses R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM1-950 Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM300-666 Drugs and their actions
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User:	JUNAINE JASNI -
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2025 11:24
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2025 11:24
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/45089

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