Rumination Disorder: Differential Diagnosis

Two types of rumination, psychogenic and self-stimulating, are hypothesized based on a review of 66 cases. In both types, the rumination is self-induced, purposeful, and pleasurable, and the incidence is five times greater in male than in female subjects. Psychogenic rumination occurs in infancy, developmental status is usually normal, and there is often a disturbed parent-child relationship. Self-stimulating rumination is evident in mentally retarded individuals of any age and may occur in the presence of nurturing adults. These findings are in contrast to the single disorder and equal gender prevalence described in the DSM-III-R.