Headaches may indicate stress

Dear Dr. Donya,

My name is Elizabeth and I have an eight-year-old son. His head was slammed into a metal pole in July 2003 by another boy, and now he complains about severe headaches every other day, and he cries from them and he also has numerous accidents.

I took him to a doctor and he told me his headaches would go away after a few days but they have not. He still complains about headaches, and he also defecates in his sleep but he does not realize that he is doing it. He also does it during the day without ever realizing it; he says that he does not feel himself doing it. Thank you for responding to my letter.

Sincerely, Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

Because the problem has gone on for almost a year, I do not think there is anything to see with a CAT scan. His complaints of headaches and bowel movements during the night could be related to the same problem.

An eight-year-old soiling himself is unusual and most of the time is related to stress. How long has he been defecating in his bed at night? How is he doing in school? What happened when he was pushed by his friend (in an accident or a fight)? Does he have any close friends? How are you and your husband dealing with his headaches and his other problem? Is there reinforcement or punishment?

I am sorry to ask you so many questions but the answers will help me help you.

Dr. Donya