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Primary nocturnal enuresis: A psychodynamic clinical perspective

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Abstract

Recognition of enuresis, a vexing identified clinical symptom predates modern civilization, and harsh physical procedures were used as the prevalent treatment methods since the 18th and 19th centuries. The account of treatment interventions is replete with documented controversy. Today the conflicting views and approaches center on the work, research and writings of therapists classified as: learning theorists, behaviorists, psychopharmacologists, and psychodynamic, analytically oriented clinicians. The manuscript reviews theories of etiology of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE), the evaluation process, and the myriad of treatment procedures currently utilized. The reader is offered a review of the history of treatment of this symptom and an overview of the competing current paradigms. A detailed case presentation is offered to demonstrate the efficacy of psychotherapy, i.e., analytically oriented play therapy commonly utilized as the treatment of choice by psychoanalysts, clinical psychologists and clinical social workers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, New York University, 255 W.88th Street, Apt. 4E, 10024, New York, NY

    Judith Marks Mishne DSW (professor)

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  1. Judith Marks Mishne DSW
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This article was commissioned by Genecom, a medical education and marketing network, committed to providing educational information to professional social workers, the health care provider commonly among the first to identify PNE as a problem for children.

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Mishne, J.M. Primary nocturnal enuresis: A psychodynamic clinical perspective. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 10, 469–496 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757431

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