Prader-Willi Syndrome CH 7 Dev disorder
anonymous
April 6 2006, 13:31:29 UTC
The textbook defines Prader-Willi Syndrome as 'a genetic disorder characterized by obesity, short statur, disorders in sexual devlopment, as well as a tendency to behavioral and cognitive disabilites' (p. 336). Prader-Willi Syndrome is a very serious condition which I was not aware of until fairly recently. It includes an absolute uncontrollable obsession with food and eating. An individual who suffers from this developmental disorder lacks indication from the brain when the body is full. Working for my local police department, I became familiar with a 13 year old boy who suffered tremendously as a result of Prader-Willi SYndrome. Our police department was being contacted daily to arrest him for stealing food. One time we received a report that he had consumed 2 large pizzas at a local restaurant without paying. ANother time, he had done what we call a 'dine and dash' where he consumed 4 dinner entrees and 2 desserts. We were contacted by department stores who were holding him for eating food right off the shelf. While in police custody, he completely removed his own toenails and ate them, before eating his own flesh - literally. It saddens me to see the effect that this disorder had on him - emotionally, psychologically, behaviorally, socially and legally. Thankfully, his family found a treatment centre in northern Canada where he went to receive treatment. Since then we haven't heard from him, but it's something I always remember. Although he was an extreme case, it demonstrates the severity that this illness can go to and the way in which it can affect the individual.
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