Why does Taissa eat dirt?
Physician’s Assessment
Patient: Taissa
DOB: [REDACTED]
Date of Assessment: [REDACTED]
Assessment: The patient, Taissa, is a character from the television show "Yellowjackets" who has been observed sleepwalking and eating dirt. The purpose of this report is to discuss potential physical and psychological diagnoses that may be causing this behavior.
Stress: a. Evidence in favor: Taissa is exposed to significant stressors in the show, including a plane crash, survival in the wilderness, and interpersonal conflicts. Stress can lead to sleep disturbances and parasomnias, such as sleepwalking. b. Evidence against: While stress can be a contributing factor to sleepwalking, it does not typically cause an individual to eat dirt. There may be other factors at play.
Pica: a. Evidence in favor: Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances, such as dirt. It can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, mental health disorders, or cultural factors. Taissa's consumption of dirt while sleepwalking could be indicative of pica. b. Evidence against: Pica is generally a conscious behavior, whereas Taissa appears to be engaging in this activity unconsciously during sleepwalking episodes. It is also important to consider if Taissa's dirt-eating behavior persists during her waking hours.
Iron Deficiency Anemia: a. Evidence in favor: Iron deficiency anemia is a common cause of pica and can result from poor diet or malabsorption. Given Taissa's extreme circumstances, it is possible that she is not consuming enough iron-rich foods, leading to anemia and cravings for dirt. b. Evidence against: It is unclear whether Taissa exhibits other symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, dizziness, or pale skin. Additionally, her dirt-eating behavior occurs during sleepwalking episodes, which may not align with typical manifestations of pica caused by anemia.
Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (SRED): a. Evidence in favor: SRED is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating during sleep, often with unusual food choices or combinations. Taissa's consumption of dirt while sleepwalking could be an indication of SRED. b. Evidence against: SRED typically involves the consumption of actual food items, whereas Taissa is consuming non-nutritive substances. It is also important to investigate whether Taissa has a history of sleep-related eating issues prior to the events of the show.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a. Evidence in favor: Taissa experiences multiple traumatic events throughout the show, which may lead to the development of PTSD. Sleep disturbances, including sleepwalking and nightmares, are common symptoms of PTSD. It is possible that her dirt-eating behavior is a manifestation of PTSD-related sleep disturbances. b. Evidence against: While PTSD may contribute to sleep disturbances, it does not directly cause dirt-eating behavior. Further evaluation is needed to determine the relationship between Taissa's PTSD symptoms and her sleepwalking episodes.
Conclusion: Taissa's sleepwalking and dirt-eating behavior may be caused by a combination of factors, including stress, pica, iron deficiency anemia, sleep-related eating disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Further assessment and medical tests are needed to confirm these diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans.
