Though common enough in children, enuresis, or bedwetting can also affect adults, impacting on both self esteem and confidence.
According to research, at least 1% of all adults over the age of 18 experience this distressing complaint. Some people have struggled their whole life with bedwetting, while others may have little or no history of doing this, and only begin experiencing it later in adulthood.
Most often occurring at night, while sleeping, adult bed wetting can also happen when napping or dozing off during the daytime.
Enuresis often seems to run in families, pointing to the possibility of a genetic component, and it can also be caused by physical difficulties such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, prostate enlargement, etc.
Research has also shown that, in some people, the neurological system may be slow in processing the sensation that comes when the bladder is full. An unstable, overactive bladder may also be implicated.
For these reasons it is always wisest to consult with your doctor before considering treatment of a psychological nature.
Underlying psychological issues are a major reason for adult bed wetting. This is particularly the case when the person has a history of bedwetting as a child, and wets again after a period of remaining dry. The correct name for this is ‘secondary nocturnal enuresis’.