Mental Health: Elimination Disorders: Encopresis
What Are Elimination Disorders?
Elimination disorders occur in children who have problems going
to the bathroom—both defecating and urinating. Although it is not uncommon
for young children to have occasional "accidents," there may be a
problem if this behavior occurs repeatedly for longer than 3 months,
particularly in children older than 5 years.
There are two types of elimination disorders, encopresis and enuresis.
- Encopresis is the repeated passing of feces into places other than
the toilet, such as in underwear or on the floor. This behavior may or may not
be done on purpose.
- Enuresis is the repeated
passing of urine in places other than the toilet. Enuresis that occurs at
night, or bed-wetting, is the most common type of elimination disorder. As with
encopresis, this behavior may or may not be done on purpose.
What Are the Symptoms of Encopresis?
In addition to the behavior of releasing waste in improper places, a child with encopresis may have other symptoms, including:
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Loose, watery stools (bowel movements)
- Scratching or rubbing the anal area due to irritation from watery stools
- Decreased interest in physical activity
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Secretive behavior associated with bowel movements.
Next: What causes encopresis? »
- Psychotherapy - Mental Health: Psychotherapy To Treat Depressionin teens and adults
- Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.
- Bedwetting - Learn about bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) causes, types (primary, secondary) treatment tips and medication (imipramine) for bedwetters. Involuntary nighttime urination while sleeping is common in children under 5.
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