I started having problems with encopresis when I started high school and during my teens. Some of the reasons were:

• Starting at a new school.
• Constipation.
• Phobia of using the toilet cubicles.
• Being very shy.

At the time I couldn’t explain why and was suspected of doing it on purpose and I was also never taken to a doctor. I found ways of hiding it but not well enough to always go unnoticed and that just made the situation worse. If the reasons, or even just one of them was delt with at the time I am sure it would have been resolved.

Why would you jump from smelly to encopresis or enuresis? That's a weird mental leap.

She may have a physical issue like a catheter, stent, or colostomy. She may wear adult diapers due to a physical issue. She may have a whole assortment of physical issues that she does not want to share with you or her friends, including your daughters. Butt out.

Anonymous wrote:No, this is unusual to develop as a teen. Have you taken yours to a doctor? There maybe some underlying mental illness going on, perhaps look into that angle? Or possibly something neurological.

I have and according to the doctor there are no physical reason for his soiling. When you say underlying mental illness do you mean he could be doing it in his underwear intentionally. It wasn’t something I had considered, but he has some other behavioral issues.

Anonymous wrote:Had a younger relative develop Encropsis, it was all diet related. All the processed food and no fiber lead to unintentional bowel leaking. Offer that poor kid some prune juice and water. Seriously, look at the their diet and snack habits.

+1 My DC was prone to constipation. We kept canned prune juice on hand and would mix it with orange juice and call it magic poo-poo juice.

Can be trauma related, to avoid unwanted attention/contact that is happening

Had a younger relative develop Encropsis, it was all diet related. All the processed food and no fiber lead to unintentional bowel leaking. Offer that poor kid some prune juice and water. Seriously, look at the their diet and snack habits.

I think one of our daughter’s friends might have encopresis or isn’t cleaning herself properly. She comes to our house directly after school most afternoons and she is often smelly. In the beginning I thought it was body odour, but its more than just that. It’s been going on for more than 6 months now and rather than get better it’s gotten worse.

My daughter and their other friends don’t seem to notice or are tolerating it, but it must get noticed at school. I have questioned her a few times, but she denies it, yet I am sure she has. I have considered talking to her parents, however they always seem too busy to stop, or say they are going to drop in, but never do.

I’d move this to special needs or health forum for more information

No, this is unusual to develop as a teen. Have you taken yours to a doctor? There maybe some underlying mental illness going on, perhaps look into that angle? Or possibly something neurological.

Did anyone develop encopresis or enuresis during their teens?