Figure 2.

Pathogenesis of withholding behavior in patients with constipation. Children that have had frightening or painful defecations start holding the stool to avoid this unpleasant experience. The longer the stool stays in the colon, the more water is absorbed, leading to firmer stool, which is even more difficult to pass. In this way, the more a child tries to hold the stool in, the more difficulties they experience during defecation.