I once worked with a patient at a state psychiatric hospital who swallowed inanimate objects. Her arms and hands were kept in restraint at all times to prevent her from doing this. She'd had several surgeries to remove various objects.  When you are desperate for emotional nourishment, you'll swallow anything! Here is a photo of the contents of a different patient's stomach who died during surgery to remove the objects.  

Thomas Szasz, MD, author of the classic, "The Myth of Mental Illness, " died over the weekend at his home near Syracuse, NY.  I was lucky to have heard him speak twice--once last year at the IESPP conference, and once while I was in graduate school at Syracuse University.  Although criticized by the mainstream psychiatric system for his "radical" views, many have continued to champion his cause.  

I will be presenting on Empathic Parenting at the Living Compassion Workshop at NAU Oct 27-28!
http://www.nau.edu/SBS/Events/Living-Compassion/