5 yr old has weird food attachment

[sdreamer]

Our 5 year old son, in the past week, has 'aquired' an attachment (sort of) to food that has us worried and at a loss on what to do.  It started with popcorn at his schools Fall Festival - he put a piece into his mouth then proceeded to cry hysterically and say he missed the popcorn.  He wouldn't eat anymore.  It has progressed now to some of his past favorite foods chicken, green beans, oatmeal w/ anything in it, PBJ's, FRIES!!! etc. He will eat applesauce & yogurt and drink water & milk with no meltdowns.  After one begged (me begging) piece of food he says he misses the food, asks me if I remember what it looks like and asks if I can draw it for him - all while crying hysterically.  We asked his doctor and she has never heard of this issue - she had him eat M&M's in her office which he did so reluctantly but without a meltdown.  In the car he asked if I could draw the M&M's and started crying.  The only thing that had changed in his life was he was put on Singulair.  I have stopped (as of 2 days) with the Singulair with no change in food issue.  He has lost 4 lbs in 4 days and he is avg size.  Before a week ago he would eat veggies, fruits and meats - he enjoyed eating.  He is otherwise a happy (a bit of a jokester), smart child with no other issues physically or mentally - goes to Kindergarten, plays soccer, has stable home with Mom and Dad present.  Could this be a control issue?  Any advice would be so appreciated.      

[margypops]

Hes learnt how to press your buttons hence the way he didnt have a meltdown'eating M&Ms in her office but saved it for you later.He is getting a lot of attention from you over this, so maybe he needs positive attention, focus on his positive side , how about Dad gets involved with sports and Games and outside activities.He is getting a lot of over -reacting from you, take a step back, too many words, ignore the behavior and see if it improves.

[cbs62]

I have heard that singular can cause some bizarre behaviors in children.  A friend of mine had her child on it and like you, took him off.  Watch for the next few days and see if it improves...

C.

[babygirl6152]

could it be control? who knows- maybe just controlling that he gets a reaction from you all- if it is not that - I hope the med change helps-geeee
I have never heard of anything like it related to food- but you say he is smart- and if it is control you all will be laughing about it all when he is 25-
I guess the grieving over the loss is sorta believable- can't have your popcorn ball and eat it too!

I think I know a way to find out- don't play along- and I don't mean for one week- I mean 6 weeks- give him no reaction whatsoever- just say- "it will be alright" and don't discuss it- don't draw any more pictures-

never heard of this but I did know a sweetheart of a girl/ very smart that would get 'reactions' by doing something else odd- she would tell mom and dad in the middle of the night that ghosts were talking to her- dead aunts, etc etc- told them in detail the conversations- sure it was interesting- the parents wanted to hear it because it was so bizarre- she got a lot of attention - I mean these people were ready to call a priest and see what was up with this girl- I asked them to try for awhile not discussing it- showing no reaction but "ok let's go back to bed"- It all stopped in a week.

[Natta1980]

Hmmm - sounds that he is "grieving"  about the food that dissapeared in his stomach...Sounds like he has some irrational fear of what happends to food after he eats it. He may be realizing that it goes inside his body - and for whatever reason is fearful about it. Try to explain how gastro-intestinal tract works....Get a cardboards cutout of a human body with stomach, intestines shown, etc..Sounds like a philosophycal issue - understanding what happens to M&M after he eats it and what changes it goes through in digestive system may help:) Let me know how it goes - it is very interesting for sure:)