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Elizabeth Massey (Unregistered Guest)
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 05:28 pm: | |
I have a problem similar to the one "Rachel" mentioned above. Ihave a 7 year old son who refuses to go to the potty to poop. I have tried everything I can think of as well. I have begged, pleaded, and fussed with him. I have used the currencey program with him. None of it works. I have taken him to the dr. who told me to change his diet. That hasn't worked either. He doesn't mind the feeling or the smell of it in his pants. I make him clean himself up and clean his clothes out on his own. I have even tried to make him go around naked at home so that when he had to go he would go to the potty. That only worked for a little while, then he got to the point where he would go and put on underwear or pants and go in them rather than going to sit on the potty. Needless to say that frustrated me the most. He is in 1st grade now and most of the time he will hold it until he gets home, but then he will go in his pants here at home. It doesn't seem to bother him at all that kids his age tease him about this. I think it embarasses us(his parents) more than it does him. When he does try to go sit on the potty, he will sit and sit and nothing will happen, but then when he get up and gets dressed he goes. I have tried a potty seat hoping it would be more comfy for him but that hasn't helped either. I now have a 7 month old that will start training soon. I have even tried to use that to help give a shove in the right direction...telling him "See? Only babies poop in their pants...Don't you want to be potty trained before your sister?" I won't let him have sleep overs because of this. It is just really frustrating. It frustrates him too, but he just won't stop doing it. He complains about having to clean out his clothes constantly and we've tried to explain that if he went in the potty instead of his pants he wouldn't have to do it. Nothing has worked. I'm starting to think it may be psychological. Do you think I may be right?
Thank you,
Elizabeth |
Narmin Parpia
| | Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 06:07 pm: | |
Hi Elizabeth,
When children have trouble with bowel movements, particularly after the age of four, it's important to watch for signs of constipation and encopresis. Encopresis (bowel accidents and soiling) is the result of constipation that has occurred over time. Typically it is the result of an impaction where the looser stool seeps around the impaction and leaks without the child even being aware of what's happened. It is important to quickly identify and resolve the problem to avoid further complications. For this reason I recommend you return to your doctor to determine what other diet changes and/or medications can be used to help your son.
You might also consider reading Dr. D. Preston Smith's book entitled "Overcoming Bladder & Bowel Problems in Children". In his book Dr. Smith devotes several chapters to the subject of bowel problems.
And finally, to address your question if I think your son's problem is psychological, I'd have to say if you are concerned, it's best to see a therapist. As a mother you have a keen sense of what is going on with your son. Listen to that and follow through. Additionally, once you eliminate a medical concern, I would have to agree you need advice from a therapist. Assuming no learning disabilities, your son is well beyond the age of knowing what and how he's supposed to behave. So either it is medical, or behavioral.
Good luck in your search for a solution. Please let me know how things turn out.
Narmin |
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