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Meet the woman who would eat bricks from her own walls to satisfy unusual cravings
Its been 10 years since Patrice Benjamin-Ramgoolam, who lives with pica syndrome, appeared on This Morning to talk about her unusual cravings. Closer UK recently caught up with her.
Since she was 15 years old, shes experienced a desire to consume bricks. It all started with a conversation with her grandmother, and has to do with pica syndrome. However, at the time her interview was broadcast, she was also on medication for depression and anxiety. Now, she practices mindfulness strategies to moderate her cravings.
Patrice Benjamin-Ramgoolams cravings are a little out of the ordinary
Patrice was living with her grandparents when she first heard about two of her family members who lived with pica syndrome.
Cleveland Clinic describes pica as a mental health condition. It causes a person to compulsively swallow non-food items. These could be anything that doesnt have any nutritional value or purpose. Pica especially common in children and among pregnant people.
While its harmless in and of itself, certain objects can cause damage when swallowed. The condition can therefore be very hazardous if not managed sensitively and carefully.
Fortunately, however, it is often treatable by modifying ones lifestyle and circumstances and, if necessary, engaging in therapy. The condition gets its name from a bird called the Eurasian magpie (Latin: Pica pica), which has a reputation for eating unusual objects.
I knew it was weird, but I liked the dry taste
Patrice, now 39, recalled to Closer UK that she first heard of the condition during a family gathering. Someone told her that her uncle and aunt had picked at the wall and eaten it when they were young.
But they had grown out of it by the time they were five years old. For Patrice, that was just the beginning. Age 15, she picked up a metal ornament and used it to scrape the bottom of the wall.
I wanted to see what the walls were like beneath the paint, she told the magazine. I knew it was weird, but I liked the dry taste, and I felt good afterwards.
Every day, it became the norm for me to go into the living room, listen to music and gouge out about five teaspoons of mortar from the wall. Gradually, I went up the wall, but when my grandmother and aunt eventually noticed the damage, it was dismissed as wear and tear.
Now she regulates her habit with mindfulness strategies
Pica can often arise as a coping mechanism for people suffering from depression and anxiety. Patrice has received diagnoses for both, and is awaiting an assessment for attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Thus far, she hasnt experienced any nasty side effects from her condition, or fallen seriously ill.
I have been told it could cause dangerous blockages, she said, though that hasnt happened so far. But I know it could kill me. And I have some chips in my teeth, caused by chewing on the mortar.
But now that she practices mindfulness strategies to recognize the cravings before they take over, she is better at distracting herself from them. Her habit has slowed down as a result, although it hasnt completely abated.
I have more control over it and dont need to do it every day. I do it twice a week and eat around four teaspoonfuls each time. But to be honest, I dont know if Im ready to completely stop as it still triggers happiness inside me. I just hope I dont end up seriously damaging my health.
If you or someone you know needs support, there are many eating disorder helplines in the UK here to help. Beat can be contacted at 0808 801 0677 while Mind’s contact number is 0300 123 3393. Or if you are based in the USA, you can call NEDA on (800) 931-2237.
Similarly, you can contact American Addiction Centers on (877) 686-7688 or Talk To Frank on 0300 123 6600 in the UK.
