WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

Enuresis (bedwetting)

• Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
• Many more boys than girls wet their beds
• Bedwetting runs in families
• Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
• Most bedwetters do not have emotional problems

There are a variety of emotional reasons for bedwetting. For example, when a young child begins bedwetting after several months or years of dryness during the night, this may reflect new fears of insecurities. This may follow changes or events which make the child feel insecure: moving to a new environment, losing a family member or loved one, or especially the arrival of a new baby or child in the home. Sometimes bedwetting occurs after a period of dryness because the child's original toilet training was too stressful.

For more information click on the following link to a American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fact Sheet

Encopresis
Soiling which is not caused by an illness or disability is called encopresis. Children with encopresis may have other problems, such as short attention span, low frustration tolerance, hyperactivity and poor coordination. Occasionally, this problem with soiling starts with a stressful change in the child's life, such as the birth of a sibling, separation/divorce of parents, family problems, or a move to a new home or school. Encopresis is more common in boys than in girls.

Although most children with soiling do not have a physical condition, they should have a complete physical evaluation by a family physician or pediatrician. If no physical causes are found, or if problems continue, the next step is an evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The child and adolescent psychiatrist will review the results of the physical evaluation and then decide whether emotional problems are contributing to the encopresis.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists treat encopresis with a combination of educational, psychological and behavioral methods. Most children with encopresis can be helped, but progress can be slow and extended treatment may be necessary. Early treatment of a soiling or bowel control problem can help prevent and reduce social and emotional suffering and pain for the child and family.

For more information click on the following link to a  American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fact Sheet