AbstractThis article reviews the psychological factors associated with micturition disorders and suggests that they may be causally linked to detrusor instability and sencory urgency. Patients with genuine stress incontinence have psychological profiles in keeping with a population who have a chronic physical disability. The treatment of patients with micturition disorders is reviewed and proposals are made for clinical management. The overall conclusion is that, in general, surgery and medication have little to offer whilst psychological treatments appear to be effective.