Behavioral symptom substitution in children cured of encopresis
M. D. Levine, P. Mazonson and H. Bakow
Follow-up data were obtained on 47 children who had been treated for
encopresis with an initial catharsis, maintenance laxative therapy,
demystification, symptom-related counseling, and close follow-up.
Behavioral inventories were used at the beginning of treatment and three
years later to determine whether any significant symptom substitution
occurred in children cured of encopresis. Little evidence of this was
uncovered. There was a comparison of cured and uncured children with
respect to behavioral profiles at the start of treatment and three years
later. The uncured group showed more aggressive behaviors initially, and
also were more socially withdrawn at the start of treatment, although this
was not evident three years later. Monitoring of associated behaviors
should be an important part of the management of encopresis.
