Definition

Noun: A condition, typically in children, characterized by the repeated involuntary passage of feces into inappropriate places (e.g., clothing) that is not due to a physical illness or defect. It is often considered a psychological or behavioral disorder related to toilet training.

Usage

The word "encopresis" is a clinical and medical term. It is used primarily in professional contexts such as psychology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and healthcare. It is not used in everyday casual conversation.

Examples

• The pediatrician diagnosed the child's soiling issues as encopresis.
• Behavioral therapy is a common treatment approach for encopresis.
• The case study focused on the psychological factors associated with encopresis.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often specified as retentive encopresis (associated with chronic constipation and overflow incontinence) or non-retentive encopresis (not associated with constipation).
• It is frequently discussed in contrast to enuresis (involuntary urination).

Variants and Related Words

• Encopretic (adjective): Relating to or suffering from encopresis.
  • The therapist developed a plan for the encopretic patient.

Synonyms

• Fecal incontinence (though this term is broader and often implies a physical cause)
• Soiling (this is a more general, non-clinical term for the symptom)

Antonyms

• Continence (specifically fecal continence)
• Controlled defecation

Noun

1. involuntary defecation not attributable to physical defects or illness