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Child Psychiatry and Enuresis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Extract

The status of enuresis as a symptom of psychiatric disturbance is still uncertain despite a considerable amount of research, which has been well reviewed by Shaffer (1973, 1977, 1980). The problem is that although general population surveys, such as the Isle of Wight investigation (Rutter et al, 1973) and the National Child Development Study (Essen and Peckham, 1976) have indicated a definite association between enuresis and psychiatric disorders, particularly the common neurotic and conduct disturbances, they have also made it abundantly clear that the majority of children who wet are actually well-adjusted and free from other problems affecting their behaviour. Enuretic children referred to clinics for treatment are more likely to be psychiatrically disturbed (Hallgren, 1957), but even then the majority of them are free from other behaviour difficulties.

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Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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