Myths Surrounding Nocturnal Enuresis
The statements on the previous page were all just myths. Here are just some of the common misconceptions about nocturnal enuresis and the truth behind these statements.
1. All bedwetters will "grow out of it."
While most children eventually stop wetting the bed, up to 2% continue into adulthood with nocturnal enuresis symptoms. Bedwetting is a prevalent problem, affecting approximately 15-16% of five-year-olds. Starting at this age, 15% of these children with nocturnal enuresis will naturally stop wetting the bed each year.
2. Children who wet the bed often are able to stop their behaviour or are too lazy to stop it.
As they are sleeping, the majority of children who wet the bed do not do so on purpose, nor do they want to wet the bed. It is a behaviour that they struggle with trying to stop.
3. Bedwetters are more likely to become serial killers.
While a trial by John MacDonald in 1963 suggested that children who displayed behaviours of bedwetting, animal abuse, and pyromania were more likely to exhibit violent sociopathic behaviours, there have not been studies showing that bedwetting alone is associated with sociopathy or with becoming a serial killer.
4. There are no medications for bedwetting.
There are a few medications for bedwetting, and they are discussed more in detail on this website. They include desmopressin, imipramine, and oxybutynin.
1. All bedwetters will "grow out of it."
While most children eventually stop wetting the bed, up to 2% continue into adulthood with nocturnal enuresis symptoms. Bedwetting is a prevalent problem, affecting approximately 15-16% of five-year-olds. Starting at this age, 15% of these children with nocturnal enuresis will naturally stop wetting the bed each year.
2. Children who wet the bed often are able to stop their behaviour or are too lazy to stop it.
As they are sleeping, the majority of children who wet the bed do not do so on purpose, nor do they want to wet the bed. It is a behaviour that they struggle with trying to stop.
3. Bedwetters are more likely to become serial killers.
While a trial by John MacDonald in 1963 suggested that children who displayed behaviours of bedwetting, animal abuse, and pyromania were more likely to exhibit violent sociopathic behaviours, there have not been studies showing that bedwetting alone is associated with sociopathy or with becoming a serial killer.
4. There are no medications for bedwetting.
There are a few medications for bedwetting, and they are discussed more in detail on this website. They include desmopressin, imipramine, and oxybutynin.
References:
Tu ND, Baskin LS, Arnhym AM. Etiology and evaluation of nocturnal enuresis in children. In: Basow DS (ed). UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; 2013. www.uptodate.com. Updated Dec 4, 2012. Accessed Mar 18, 2013.
Weatherby GA, Buller DM, McGinnis K. The Buller-McGinnis model of serial-homicidal behavior: An integrated approach. Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research and Education. 2009;3:1.
Tu ND, Baskin LS, Arnhym AM. Etiology and evaluation of nocturnal enuresis in children. In: Basow DS (ed). UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; 2013. www.uptodate.com. Updated Dec 4, 2012. Accessed Mar 18, 2013.
Weatherby GA, Buller DM, McGinnis K. The Buller-McGinnis model of serial-homicidal behavior: An integrated approach. Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research and Education. 2009;3:1.