Bed-wetting: emotional causes

BED-WETTING: EMOTIONAL CAUSES
'You know, any sort of emotional situation can often be reflected in this manner. Other children may show it in different ways, perhaps by developing aches and pains in different parts of the body. I have a little chap who regularly throws asthma attacks when he feels he is being neglected. Others throw tantrums, develop diarrhoea, stop eating, overeat or have nightmares. You name it, and some child somewhere has managed to give vent to tensions and fears in some overt way. In Danny's case, it appears to be by wetting the bed at night.'
'Could it be because of some underlying disease of his bladder system?' Sandry asked, hopefully.
'It is possible, but not probable. Bring Danny in to see me, and we'll have all this checked. We'll have a few simple tests done to eliminate organic disorders as possible causes.'
'Supposing he is physically perfect. What is the routine then?' Sandra asked. She really wanted Danny fixed up, and I hardly blamed her. Washing sheets every day of one's life can be a bore and even a physical hardship, in spite of modern washing machines and all that.
'Examining all possible emotional causes is the best starting point. Then trying to correct these as far as possible. Trying to explain why certain situations occur at least offers the child some reason, and hopefully Danny is old enough to comprehend this.
'Next, the best method is the pad-and-bell alarm system. This is simple, but requires a bit of fiddling around. When the device is set up, an alarm rings each time Danny wets the bed. He quickly wakes up. The bed is changed, he is taken to the toilet, and an explanation given as to what it is all about.
'You can make a game out of it. Explain that the less he wets the bed at night, the fewer times he will be disturbed. Aim for 100 per cent, and make a big success event when he goes through the night without the alarm sounding.'
'That sounds a good idea,' Sandra said. 'I suppose I can get these devices simply?'
'They are often available on hire from a chemist. Or you can buy your own. Most children start to have dry nights after five to ten alarms. It is often as successful as that.'
'Sounds wonderful,' Sandra exclaimed.
'Drug medication is also available. We can prescribe a family of drugs called the tri-cyclic antidepressants. Imipramine is often used, and this can work. But often it doesn't and sometimes when discontinued the child reverts back to previous bed wetting habits. Anyway, after I've examined him, let's start with the pad-and-bell system ... plus the little talks, as we have suggested. I hope the combination will be highly successful.'
'We all hope so,' Sandra added, with an encouraging smile.
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