Encopresis (Inappropriate Defecation)
Encopresis involves repeated passage of feces in inappropriate places (clothes, floor) in children 4 years or older, after the age when bowel control is expected.
Encopresis (Inappropriate Defecation)
Encopresis involves repeated passage of feces in inappropriate places (clothes, floor) in children 4 years or older, after the age when bowel control is expected. It is often linked to chronic constipation, where hard stools cause pain, leading the child to withhold bowel movements. Over time, overflow incontinence or involuntary soiling occurs. In Saudi Arabia, encopresis can carry social stigma, particularly in school-aged children. Families may feel frustrated or embarrassed, delaying seeking medical or psychological help. Early intervention is critical to prevent emotional and social complications.
What constitutes Encopresis?
- Repeated passage of feces in inappropriate places
- Age 4 years or older
- Occurs at least once per month for three months
- Not due to a medical condition (e.g., gastrointestinal disease)
Symptoms and warning signs
- Soiling of underwear or clothing
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements
- Avoidance of defecation due to pain
- Emotional signs: shame, anxiety, social withdrawal
- Secondary behavioral issues: irritability, oppositional behavior
Causes and risk factors
- Chronic constipation or painful defecation
- Learned withholding behaviors
- Stressful life events (school transition, family changes)
- Developmental delays or neurodevelopmental conditions
- Family history of constipation or elimination difficulties
Treatment approaches
- Medical management: stool softeners, laxatives, and dietary adjustments to relieve constipation
- Behavioral therapy: scheduled toilet sitting, reward systems, and desensitization to bowel movements
- Psychoeducation: teaching families that encopresis is not intentional misbehavior
Why Act Center for Encopresis (Inappropriate Defecation) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?
Our experienced child therapists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia offer compassionate care for soiling issues, treating problems related to constipation and emotional factors.
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