Hi Tracy – your daughter is suffering from secondary nocturnal enuresis (SNE) a term used to describe the condition where a child has maintained proper bladder control for a consecutive period of six months or more then begins to wet the bed again. Secondary bedwetting appears to have two main causes: physical or psychological. While physical causes are rare, it is always important to rule these out first by making an appointment with your GP. The majority of secondary bedwetting results from emotional problems. Common psychological stressors for children include things like family separation or the loss of someone close. So it is not particularly surprising that her return to bedwetting coincided with her father leaving for Afghanistan. The management of secondary bedwetting involves addressing the underlying cause. When there are significant emotional stressors associated with secondary bedwetting, then attention to these issues should take priority. It may be that she is concerned about him leaving again or that something may happen to him. When stress is an underlying factor then children sometimes benefit from psychological intervention through the support of a clinical child psychologist. If she continues to wet the bed then treatment options are the same as those recommend for children experiencing primary bedwetting. You need to approach this with the support of an experienced continence advisor as the more guidance and support you receive the better the outcome.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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