Question
A seven-year-old boy has been experiencing the issue of accidentally pooping in his pants every day for over a year. Although he has seen a doctor and undergone rectal exams and ultrasounds, no abnormalities have been detected. The child often complains of stomach pain and has vomited several times at school due to holding in stool. Sometimes it seems urgent when he is seen holding back, but he always claims otherwise until he can’t control himself anymore. Parents have tried many methods, including spanking and patient communication, but the problem persists. Parents want to know if this is a physical or psychological issue?
Answer
Parents should observe the reasons behind the child’s stool problem in their pants and help resolve it. For example, during kindergarten, children might forget to use the bathroom because they are too excited playing, or they may hesitate to ask for a break from class to use the bathroom out of fear of disturbing the lesson. In elementary school, children might avoid using the bathroom because the toilet seat is too far away. Parents can train their child to defecate at home and ask teachers to remind them to go to the bathroom on time. Children usually do not like this, and excessive scolding can harm their self-esteem. Parents should keep the secret for their child and help him solve the problem.