Repeated involuntary discharge of urine in a child over three years of age, enuresis is derived from the Greek word meaning "I make water." Approximately 10% of children between the ages of six and 10 in the United States are enuretic.

A number of myths have grown up around the problem of enuresis. Many caregivers believe that bed-wetting is done out of spite, although psychotherapists strongly oppose this interpretation. Most believe enuresis is related to anxiety, usually due to situational stress.

Another myth is that enuretic children are emotionally disturbed. Though the incidence of emotional problems is slightly higher among this group, many of these problems vanish as the enuresis is controlled.

Many cruel and inhumane remedies have been tried in an effort to cure enuresis. Seventh-century parents forced bed wetters to drink a pint of their own urine. Other "cures" included beating, tying a string around the penis, placing the child's buttocks on a hot stove, making the child wear wet garments, shaming or ridiculing the child. All of these methods are ineffective and abusive. There is no evidence that punishment is an effective treatment for enuresis.

Physicians and psychologists generally attribute non-physiologically based enuresis to situational stress. Punishment usually exacerbates the problem in these cases.

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