[AmynAz]

Hello - I have a 14 yr old who was diagnosed with encopresis at the age
of 2 . He has been under the treatment of a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist
for years. While at times we thought we were making improvment we apparently
were not. This last summer he had a marker study done which caused some
confusion about his diagnosis - and led to two rectal biopsies. Although
we are waiting another opinion - should his diagnosis still be encopresis -
I would like to know how to find a therapist if there is any - that is specialized
in the treatment of children with this condition. I have not been able to
do this and it is very frustrating to have to explain his problem to the ones
we have been to. So does anyone know if there is such a thing as a
therapist that deals with only such problems ? Am holding off on
his being treated by psychatrist because I was told that he will have
to take meds if seen by one - so he has only been seen by psychologist.
And I have researched online and havent been able to find any meds that
actually are known to treat children with such a problem . We live in Arizona - any suggestions?? Thanks - Amy

[bebop]

it looks like it is a medical condition. I would seek medical attention rather than a therapist. I googled it and that is what I have just read. good luck.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by AmynAz

Hello - I have a 14 yr old who was diagnosed with encopresis at the age
of 2 . He has been under the treatment of a pediatric gastrointestinal specialist
for years. While at times we thought we were making improvment we apparently
were not. This last summer he had a marker study done which caused some
confusion about his diagnosis - and led to two rectal biopsies. Although
we are waiting another opinion - should his diagnosis still be encopresis -
I would like to know how to find a therapist if there is any - that is specialized
in the treatment of children with this condition. I have not been able to
do this and it is very frustrating to have to explain his problem to the ones
we have been to. So does anyone know if there is such a thing as a
therapist that deals with only such problems ? Am holding off on
his being treated by psychatrist because I was told that he will have
to take meds if seen by one - so he has only been seen by psychologist.
And I have researched online and havent been able to find any meds that
actually are known to treat children with such a problem . We live in Arizona - any suggestions?? Thanks - Amy

DSM IV-TR: Encopresis

If he has true Encopresis that is NOT caused by a medical problem, then a psychiatrist or other medical doctor won't be very useful. I'm confused--did the gastrointestinal specialist that your son saw for two years diagnose him with medically caused Encopresis, or something else? What was the treatment that the gastrointestinal specialist prescribed?

All child psychologists will have an understanding of all disorders of childhood. Like all therapists for children and adults, not all are going to be a good fit, and you might have to go through a few of them. I've never heard of a doctor of any variety that ONLY treats one disorder and one disorder alone, but if your in an area like Phoenix or Tuscon you might find a child psychologist who has that as a specialty that has a lot of skill and experience in treating Encopresis. I think it's one of the less common childhood disorders.

Stay away from all child psychologists that you have to explain a psychological disorder (like Encopresis) to. Interview all potential child psychologist candidates in person and phone. Obtain a differential diagnosis. Obtain all medical records, if you haven't already. If you've dealt with this as long as you have, your no doubt one tough lady.

Hi Amy,

You might want to try here.

At Arizona Child Psychology, PLLC, we believe that there is often no greater gift parents can receive other than helping their child achieve control over bowel and soiling problems.

http://www.arizonachildpsychology.com/

You might (or not) find these other sites helpful. The first one has a support forum. You never know, you might find someone who can help.

http://www.aboutencopresis.com/

http://encopresistreatment.com/encopresisinfo.html

[(JD)]

From the journal of pediatric psychology: http://jpepsy.oxfordjournals.org/cgi.../full/25/4/255

Regardless of why or what is occurring, it's the goal of therapy to help a person become a self respecting, self confident, self aware individual. Whether the physical problem is directly caused by psychological elements or not, therapy will allow the person to accept it and have a good life in spite of it, or cause the disorder to abate if it is psychologically based. Don't eliminate a good psychologist just because he/she doesn't specialize in one dis-ease.