He doesn't need a therapist he needs a good gastroenterologist. He probably has the medical condition called encopresis. While the following link is aimed more at children it has a lot of info on encopresis and explains the problems it presents. http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/November02/LoeningBauckeArticle.pdf
Thank you my son is 18 and does the same thing he hides it under his bed and in his pants leg, he seem to be collecting it. I have tried everything he started at 16, I told him if it continues he will have to leave my home. I am so frustrated and don't know what to do. Thank you for sharing I will be taking him to a therapist.
Ashlely, in her book, "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley (about $12 on Amazon), says that kids with ADHD are 3 times more likely to have wetting accidents then kids without ADHD. Basic reason is that they will focus on something and not notice the urge until its too late and then since they do tend to do things without thinking - they let it go.
Like all behavioral methods for ADHD, routine is very important.
Probably the biggest help for you will be to figure out when this is happening. During or right after playing video games? His meds have worn or are wearing off? The timing is important because then you can start a bathroom routine or check his med schedule.
I would stop the punishments. It Obviously hasn't helped too much anyway. What you do want him to do is to let you know when he has had an accident so he won't then lie about or try to hide it. The only way this will work is to not punish. If anything lightly/slightly reward for letting you know.
School wise - he is at an age where going poop in the bathroom where bigger kids are (during recess or lunch) can be scary. Its not unusual for kids to hold it out of fear of the restroom. The teacher can help here (if thats part of the problem) by letting him go during classtime.
Hope this helps!
It is a great relief to see that we are not the only ones having this issue. Our adopted nine-year-old son has just started pee and pooping himself. He mostly pees, but he will do it in the store, at school, in the car, at home, and anywhere else. He will then try to hide it and lie about it. He has shoved soiled clothes in with clean clothes in his closet and on top of the dryer.
We have tried everything from punishment (mainly for the lying and hiding dirty clothes in clean), rewards, pull-ups, frequent restroom breaks, and doctors visits. All the doctor suggested was counseling. We just finished a round of counseling in September and he refused to talk then, so I don't see how it will help this time either. He says he doesn't care about it at all. He does have ADHD but he is on medicine for that and it is controlled. He behaves well at school and makes all A's and B's.
I am not sure what else to do!
Maybe some can help me......ive been dealing with these issues a lot longer than most of you.....my son is now 17 and still has encopresis. He has been diagnosed at the age of 2 with ADHD, he has aggressive behavior, Oppositional defiant disorder and now they added Asperger/bipolar....I have heard maybe he is lazy, could he have been molested, does he have a bowel obstruction, ....I have exhausted every resource and refuse to give up on him......I have never encountered this type of problem that lasts this long and no one seems to know what to do and no one can offer help.....any medical treatment facility in our area for kids have since closed or don't know either....im losing my hair as we speak .....my stomach is in disarray...and I cry a lot....someone....please advise me if you know of anything I can do for him to help him lead a productive life.....
what medicine is your child on and i have the same problem with my son and i think that stress has a lot to do with it my son is with me for 5 days then back with his father for another 5 days and things are not consecutive i am hoping and praying that in time it will all go away but i dont see that happening because of everything he has been thru just like when i get stressed out i go smoke a cigarette he gets upset and poops in his pants or will do it just to get attentions whether the attention is negative or positive he dont care... Please if anyone has any advice for me feel free to post a comment for me