Mental health articles

bed wetting in adolescence How to deal with this problem
Questions to ask the family or friends
• How old is the child? This is important to know if the bed-wetting is abnormal.
• Does it happen in the daytime as well?
• Has the child ever learned to control his urine? If not, then the problem is most likely due to a delay in development.
• If the child has ever learned to control his urine, when did you notice that he had started bedwetting again? Was there any significant event in your family around that time, for example the birth of another child or some family problem?
• How do you feel about the bed-wetting? What have you said to the child? Angry parents who blame the child may make the problem much worse.
• How has the problem been handled so far?

Questions to ask the child bed wetting in adolescence 
• How have things been recently? At home? At school? Start by asking general questions so as to give time for the child to feel more comfortable.
• Have you been worrying about anything of late? See if the child brings up the topic herself.
• Many children have difficulties with bed-wetting. Has this been a problem for you recently? You are now asking the question directly, but stating at the beginning that it is a common problem and something you are familiar with.

• Since when has this happened? Why do you feel it is happening? The child’s views may point to the reason for being upset.
• Does it burn or hurt when you pass urine? This is to check for a urinary infection.
• How has this problem been affecting you? At home? At school?
• Has anyone hurt you recently? For example, by touching you in places where you feel they should not? Ask these questions if you suspect child abuse.
Special interview suggestions bed wetting in adolescence Bed-wetting can be a very embarrassing topic for a child to talk about. By the time a child with bed-wetting is brought to see you, she will probably already know that she is doing something
‘wrong’. She may feel ashamed and unhappy. Be sensitive to the child’s feelings. Examine the child’s lower back and walking to rule out rare diseases of the spine that may cause bed-wetting.
Talk about bed-wetting in private, or with an adult relative who is sensitive. Ask for a urine examination for sugar and culture to check for diabetes and urinary tract infections.

 

Related articles

• Bedwetting
• Conditioning your child to avoid wetting the bed

Tags: Adolescence, bed wetting