A six-year-old boy in Scotland has been diagnosed with pica — a disorder that causes cravings for non-food items — and his family say his destructive behaviour is leaving them exhausted and desperate for a safe home.
Leigh Murphy, the mother of the boy, Steven, told local media that he was diagnosed with severe autism and pica about four months ago. Since then he has shown an uncontrollable urge to eat things such as dirt, carpet fibres, wallpaper and even electrical wiring. Fearing for his safety, the family emptied his bedroom of all furniture except a mattress and installed a ventilation duct to ensure air circulation and prevent him from climbing out.
But even that “fail-safe” room has not stopped Steven’s compulsion. Murphy said she once walked in to find a hole in the wall — Steven had torn off the wallpaper, eaten the plaster and sand behind it and even chewed on exposed cables. He also eats carpet and, at times, his own faeces, which has left his throat frequently hoarse. “I can’t take my eyes off him for a second,” she said.
The condition has turned daily life upside down. The family’s living room now contains only two sofas and a TV, while kitchen items must be locked away. Murphy said she feels tense whenever they are outside, and can only rest when Steven is in his stripped-down bedroom.
The family currently live in rented accommodation and, despite three years of applications for social housing, have yet to be placed. Murphy hopes for a property that can be adapted to Steven’s needs.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council confirmed they are aware of the case and are working closely with social workers. They said a suitable bungalow in Cumbernauld has been identified which, although not council-owned, could potentially be adapted if the family agrees, and that officials are prepared to negotiate with the landlord.
