Woman is addicted to eating sofa cushions

[MarrickG]

A woman who appeared on the American program "My Strange Addiction" shocked audiences when she admitted her bizarre habit of eating sofa stuffing.

Adele, 30, from Bradenton started eating bits of couch cushions at the age of 10 and since then has eaten a total of seven couches and two chairs.

Adele estimates she has eaten more than 90 kg of couch cushion.

According to psychologist Jason Mihalko, Adele's behavior results from a condition known as "pica."

"(Pica is) characterized by an individual having a desire to eat nonfood substances," Mihalko told AOL News.

"There are cases of pica where people eat metal, dirt, feces, chalk, writing utensils and (tree) sap," he said.

Mihalko further told AOL News that if Adele was eating couch foam to maintain control, he would try to help her learn different ways to alleviate her stress.

"(Some) people with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) get relief from enormous amounts of stress when they engage in whatever their particular behavior is, whether it be checking locks, washing hands or other obsessive behavior, while some experience enormous stress in engaging in these behaviors," said Mihalko.

The show has already highlighted people who are addicted to tanning booths, ventriloquism and rock collecting, and others who eat toilet paper and kitchen cleanser.