Symptoms of Obsessive Feeding Disorder

Exploring Manifestations of Rumination Disorder

Rumination disorder is a lesser-known eating disorder that primarily affects infants and children, although it can also occur in older individuals, particularly those with intellectual disabilities. This condition is characterised by the repeated regurgitation and rechewing of food after a period of normal functioning.

The average age range for diagnosing rumination disorder in children is typically between infancy and early childhood, often from around 3 months to 3 years old. However, it can also be observed in older individuals. The food regurgitated in this condition is either ejected from the mouth or, more frequently, chewed again and re-swallowed.

For a diagnosis of rumination disorder, the symptoms must have lasted for at least one month. It's important to note that this behaviour does not occur exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and it is not diagnosed exclusively during the course of mental retardation or a pervasive developmental disorder, if the symptoms are sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.

Rumination disorder does not typically cause nausea, retching, disgust, or associated gastrointestinal disorders. In many infants and adults with intellectual developmental disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders, there appears to be either self-stimulating or self-soothing properties associated with the behaviour. Infants with rumination disorder display a characteristic position of straining and arching the back, making sucking movements with their tongues, and seem to gain satisfaction from the activity.

While rumination disorder is an uncommon eating disorder in the general population, it may be found more often in infants and those with intellectual disabilities. Fortunately, rumination disorder usually remits spontaneously on its own, with little to no intervention or targeted treatment required.

For the medical community, rumination disorder is coded under the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) as 307.53 (F98.21). This code provides a standardised framework for diagnosing and understanding various mental health conditions.

In conclusion, while rumination disorder is a rare condition, it is important for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to be aware of its signs and symptoms. By understanding this condition, we can better support those affected and help them navigate through this challenging period.