PSYCHOGENIC INCONTINENCE OF FECES (ENCOPRESIS) IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Almost every physician sees children with psychogenic problems. Too often he dismisses them with a few words about the development of good habits and a prescription for phenobarbital, a bromide or some other drug. With careful psychologic study of each child and with psychotherapy the problems may frequently be solved, the tension within the family greatly diminished and the happiness of the child and his family enhanced. Also much can be accomplished in safeguarding the child's future mental health. Among a considerable number of children with psychogenic problems of various types seen by me in the pediatric clinic of Mount Sinai Hospital during one year, there were 4 with encopresis. This condition has been defined by Kanner¹ as "involuntary defecation which is not directly due to organic illness." Four cases of this disorder are reported here, and the subject is discussed with the aid of the available literature. REPORT