Severe anxiety and stool witholding

[rpayne78]

I have a 3 year old who has developed a fear of pooing. It's affected her such that it's sometimes causing anxiety to drinking, eating and doing any exercise because she thinks it'll make her poo. This has a knock on effect because it means we can't get the medicine down her because she isn't drinking enough. It's a daily battle to get her to drink enough and we have to hide the medicine in the drinks we do give her.

She won't sit on the potty or toilet so is still in nappies.

This has been exacerbated by lockdown.

Any advice appreciated.

[Sunna]

Hi I have a 4 year old in the same situation and it’s really hard she is still on nappy’s I have Educational therapist working with her maybe that could help your child, speak with your GP and see what they say hope that could help you in some ways.wish you all the best.

[rpayne78 in reply to Sunna]

Thank you. What does an Edu therapist do with children to help with it?

[Sunna in reply to rpayne78]

Hi they will look at ways to help the child with fears around toilet and try to find ways to help reduce the anxiety .

[rpayne78 in reply to Sunna]

Do they provide this on the NHS?

[Sunna in reply to rpayne78]

Do you have any children Center where you live call them up and ask to speak with EP they usually work with them. That’s how I got in touch .

[rpayne78 in reply to Sunna]

I'll check it out. Thank you

[Sunna in reply to rpayne78]

Your welcome, all the best.

[Sut6557]

Hi - whilst I don't have any suggestions this sounds exactly like my daughter and she's 2.5 years old - We've taken to getting her to have a few sips of drink before doing something she wants to and whilst its only a small bit feel it adds up. She's so much worse when she doesn't drink and will spend a lot of the time laying down crossed legged when she needs to go. She also won't sit on the potty and when you mention it she protests!

If you have any other tips they would be gratefully received