title: Worsening of pica as a symptom of depressive illness in a person with severe mental handicap.
abstract: The case of a person with severe mental handicap whose pica became uncontrollable during episodes of depressive illness is described. Treatment of the depression with lofepramine markedly reduced the pica, and withdrawal of lofepramine led to recurrence. It is suggested that biological symptoms of depression should be monitored in people with severe mental handicap who show significant episodic worsening of long-standing repetitive behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Weston Hospital, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jawed
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Prasher
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Corbett
mesh_terms: D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D007422:Intestines; D008127:Lofepramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010842:Pica / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D008127:Lofepramine