Compulsive chewing in traumatic brain injury

Submitted by addiefields Tue 07/27/2010

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My adult daughter, severe TBI

Submitted by addiefields on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 7:09pm.

My adult daughter, severe TBI for 10 years, has started chewing everything for about a year now. It seems to comfort her but all her shirts, sheets, etc., are in rags. Sometimes she will chew bubble gum and not her clothes, etc. Sometimes she won't...I don't know what to do about this behaviour. It probably wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't have to buy new shirts all the time and she gets herself soaking wet. Can wear nothing with buttons, zippers as they all disappear...Everything goes in her mouth...is there anyone out there that knows of any way I can distract her or some therapy to get her to stop this? Thanks for any suggestions.

I am sorry to hear about your

Submitted by mwilliams on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 7:49pm.

I am sorry to hear about your daughter's brain injury. The brain is very complex and still not completely understood, so brain injuries can sometimes lead to problems with no known diagnosis or treatment. In your daughters case however her behavior does sound somewhat akin to an impulse control disorder similar to that of those who suffer from trichotillomania, tourettes or compulsive nail biting. These body focused repetitive behaviors are successfully addressed via cognitive behavioral therapy which helps to divert the person from the repetitive acts. This is a treatment option you could consider. So, you could seek a psychologist who specializes in one of those disorders.

That being said, your first step should be to seek a good neurologist if you have not already done so. Before doing anything else or seeking a treatment for a similar known disorder, you should ask a neurologist for a treatment recommendation.

Best of luck,
Dr. Williams

—

Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist specializing in OCD
http://www.monnicawilliams.com

Thanks, Dr. Williams, I

Submitted by addiefields on Sun, 08/01/2010 - 8:56am.

Thanks, Dr. Williams, I appreciate your comments.

We do have a neurologist, but unfortunately, in post Katrina New Orleans, they are all pretty thinned out and many are not familiar with her extreme TBI or up on current therapies/research...as much as I would love to have Sarah in all types of therapy,we are in very much the same situation as thousands of others of families: my ex-husband and I have pooled our resources in order that I can work out of the home with his support to keep Sarah here with me instead of in an institution. The severity of her injury and slow progress of visible rehabilitation caused LA Medicaid to cease any approvals for o/t, p/t or speech therapies years ago. Of course she is uninsurable now that she's aged out and the cost is just too high for us to pay for therapies on our own. But I will seek behavior modifications we can practice here at home. thanks again

hi my name jane and i am

Submitted by gilchrist on Wed, 10/27/2010 - 8:13am.

hi my name jane and i am suffer with ocd depression and feel like i cant get out and get feelins want r not even there i have been like this 4 nearly 2 years and would like 2 no if there is any brain op 2 get rid of it all i have try meds but cant seem 2 get over my illness

hi there. My fiance was in a

Submitted by Lynne on Wed, 11/16/2011 - 12:41am.

hi there.
My fiance was in a motor cycle accident in Jan this year. He has TBI. I have two problems at the moment... he does not want to walk he is to afraid to although he Is able to stand and walk. he feels that if he walks and falls he will hurt his head. The second one is that he as major issues with my son all of a sudden. He is almost 18 and it is like he is jeolous or something... my son can not do ANYTHING right. Then there's this compulsive eating... he doesn't stop eating... is this normal??? Does it ever get better and what can I do to help him?

Hi Lynne, My apologies for

Submitted by Dr. Lane on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 11:02pm.

Hi Lynne,

My apologies for not responding sooner. I'm very sorry to hear about your fiance's accident and subsequent TBI. TBI can cause significant changes in a person's behaviors and personality, depending on the severity and location of the injury (to the brain).

TBI can lead to compulsive behaviors, which may explain the compulsive eating is that started after the accident. It could also be a coping mechanism.

As for the issues with your son and his fear of walking. Without more information it's hard for me to say, although it is very possible these are both direct results of the injury. He may have some PTSD related to the accident, which could also be contributing to his fear of walking.

Whether or not it gets better will depend on several factors, including your fiance's willingness to work on these issues. Therapy may help with his fears as well as the issues with your son. How much progress he can or will make is impossible to predict.

If he trusts you, one of the best things you can do is to be very supportive but also encourage him to work with a therapist, or at least to go in for an evaluation. If you can find someone who specializes in treating individuals with TBI, that would be the best place to start. However, if you aren't able to find someone with that specialty, any experienced psychologist can do a good evaluation and make treatment recommendations and referrals if necessary.

—

Dr. Lane