Mental block re poo

[FrequentFlyerRandomDent]

DD2 is 4 and has a mental block regarding passing bowel movements. I wonder if any of you have had this issue and have some wise words to share.

We have tried many things, bribes, treats, laxatives, but she manages to resist her own body until she falls asleep. She only passes BM while asleep.

We have seen a child therapist (resisting here body was affecting her behaviour at nursery) who thinks it is psychological and linked to a seminal event during potty training.

Following therapy we have had some progress in June when DD2 passed 3 BM on toilet. All progress stopped in July and DD2 is regressing fast (resisting her body's attempts to pass a BM, becoming constipated, crying in distress when she feels she cannot wait until nightime to pass her BM while asleep and thus crying to be put to be at five o' clock, etc. ).

I am regressing too. The therapist had said to remove all pressure and not to mention BM, going to toilet, etc. But seeing he distressed during the day really makes me angry. I know she can do it. She did it happily in June.

Therapist agreed for me to give her some mild laxatives to resolve the constipation and removing some privilege (watching a DVD) if she doesn't poo in the day. This is not working. I am torn between more pressure, ef withdrawin more priviledges, or disengaging completely.

Any idea?

Don't know how long this has been going on but have just got to the other side of this happening with my DD (5).
It went on for a few months and GP just gave stool softeners as half the problem was that she could hold it in for about a week and then she would bleed and experience pain when she went, thus reinforcing her fears.
I realised that I had to stop reacting to her crying when she really needed to go and was stopping herself.
I would put her on the toilet and place one hand on her stomach which would stop her being able to get off the toilet and I would just stay calm.
She would scream and scream but eventually she would go.
I would then reward her over the top style to celebrate how clever she was.
Eventually the problem just stopped as it became less painful (she wouldn't take medicine so I just gave her neat orange juice and prune juice).
I am so glad its over and I really feel for you.
I did realise though that my distress over her distress made it worse, so this is maybe the part you need to address?
Good luck

Thank you.

cheeky you are right. The therapist did mention that my own feelings feed the cycle, so to speak. I think I should try to disengage and e more relaxed about it.

hope I saw a a thread by that name. I will PM you if I cannot get my paws on one of those.