Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children
Enuresis (day- or night-time wetting or bed-wetting) is a common occurrence that affects about 1 in 8 children starting primary school. It is more common in boys than in girls and can run in families (i.e., a child with enuresis may have a parent who wet the bed as a child). If your child is out of nappies and is regularly wetting during the day, or if night-time enuresis is affecting your child’s self-esteem, anxiety levels, or ability to do things they want to do (e.g., sleep at a friend’s place or go on school camp), then it is recommended that you seek treatment.
Why do children wet themselves?
Usually, a child learns to control their urination in the following three stages:
1) bowel control is attained during sleep,
2) bladder and bowel control is attained during wakefulness,
3) control of the bladder is attained at night.
Enuresis can indicate a difficulty in meeting these stages. This may be due to biological or developmental causes. For example, a child might develop physically later than other children or have a certain sleep disorder that disrupts their sleep cycles. Other causes could be emotional. For example, enuresis is more likely to occur alongside other psychological stressors like parental divorce, school trauma, or abuse.
Treatment options for enuresis
As enuresis is caused by a number of different factors – biological, and/or emotional – there are both medical and psychological treatments.
Medical treatments
It is important to rule out initially whether the enuresis has biological causes. Your family GP will be able to conduct a thorough physical examination of your child, including a urinalysis, and provide the appropriate referrals for specialists if necessary.
Behavioural therapy
The assistance of a psychologist is an integral treatment component for enuresis once medical causes have been ruled out.
Behavioural therapy sessions with a child psychologist can help teach your child to become aware of the body cues which signal toileting. Strategies can then be taught that can help them gain control over their bladder.
If your child is experiencing enuresis due to other psychological stressors, psychological treatment of the underlying stressors can also lead to a reduction in the enuresis.