As a fully-licensed psychologist heading up the staff at a Bedwetting Treatment Center, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous individuals and families affected by this oft-stigmatized condition. While bedwetting is commonly viewed as a purely physical issue, my decades of experience has shown me that the consequences of the sleep disorder causing bedwetting extend far beyond the physical realm.
Bedwetting is a complex condition, the result of an inherited gene which disrupts the normal communication between the brain and bladder. This genetic predisposition leads to an unusually deep sleep, making it impossible for individuals to wake up during the night to use the bathroom, or to remain asleep and hold urine in their bladders until morning.
In fact, bedwetters can sleep through even the most jarring events, such as the shrill and piercing sound of a smoke alarm, natural occurrences like hurricanes and tornadoes, or even falling out of bed. One of our teen patients fell from the top bed of a bunk bed and hit the floor—and he was still sleeping. This is simply not normal.
However, the effects of this sleep disorder don’t stop there. The chronic sleep deprivation and the bypassing of essential REM sleep can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, and psychological well-being.
In my work with children, teens, and adults struggling with bedwetting, I’ve consistently observed a range of challenges that stem from the sleep disorder. These include:
- Difficulty waking up in the morning, often feeling groggy and disoriented. They usually learn to “push through“ tiredness in order to get out of bed to start their day.
- Trouble focusing and paying attention, as the brain struggles to compensate for the lack of quality sleep.
- Poor mood regulation, leading to irritability, anxiety, reactivity, procrastination, and varying levels of depression.
- Low energy throughout the day or fully spent after a day at school. They might fall asleep on long car rides or find themselves in need of a nap. Conversely, adrenaline might kick in to help keep them going, and their energy might be more high-strung as the day goes on until they run out of steam.
- An ADHD misdiagnosis, because while a child may exhibit symptoms of ADHD, testers aren’t looking to see if the child is a bedwetter, and therefore not considering that the child is not achieving healthy sleep every night. The sleep deficit can lead to what looks like ADHD symptoms.
(We see an abatement of symptoms in 9 out of 10 patients.)
Plus…
- Negative self-image and low self-esteem, stemming from the stigma and shame associated with bedwetting, (especially common if younger siblings don’t wet the bed.)
These challenges can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual’s mental health, but also their relationships, academic performance, and overall quality of life.
As a psychologist, it’s clear to me that addressing the psychological and emotional fallout of bedwetting is just as crucial as treating the physical symptoms. By acknowledging the complex interplay between sleep, mental health, and emotional well-being, we can provide more comprehensive and effective support to individuals and families affected by this condition.
At BTC, we take a holistic approach to addressing bedwetting, incorporating support and counseling into our program. By working with individuals and families to address the sleep disorder and the emotional and psychological challenges associated with bedwetting, we can help your child achieve not only healthy sleep and dry mornings, but also improved mental health, increased confidence, and a better overall quality of life.
