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Embarrassing Bodies, 2:05am Tuesday 7th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Conditions

Paruresis

Shy bladder can be a nightmare!

Have you ever been bursting for a wee, but found that you couldn’t go because other people were present? Well, don’t worry, you might be left dying for the toilet, but Paruresis (or ‘Bashful Bladder’ as it’s otherwise known) won’t kill you. This social anxiety disorder affects around 4 million men and women in the UK and can impact heavily on their daily lives. The most common manifestation of the condition is men who cannot urinate at a urinal and instead find themselves standing next to unzipped, exposed and free-flowing men, as if just a casual observer. Women can also find it difficult to urinate in a cubicle if there are people near by. The condition is caused by a neurological shutdown of the sphincter valves that when open allow urine to flow, but it is completely involuntary. However, several physical and cognitive therapy techniques have been devised to help people cope with this problem.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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iv got to say listening to my loud music through my headphones helps because you cant hear yourself or other people around you... i tried all the breathing techniques and i found it didn't help as much where you music is a simple cure as long as you have it on you... :) good luck





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I am the author of the book ULTIMATE PARURESIS GUIDE It was firstly published in europe in german language but it later got translated into English. At boldbladder com one can get a PDF Version of it. Regards





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Every night i have to keep urinating so i get broken sleep. i have to go about 5 or 6 times . ive stopped drinking anything after 6pm but it dosent make much difference. Have i got an infection? it dosent smell nor burn. Thanks





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Hey, I'm a 13(nearly 14) year old female; and I think I have a shy bladder? At home I can sit in the toilet for ages playing music and only do a drop of wee. I also only go for a wee once or twice a day. And when it comes to pooing I rarely go..I go like every 3/4 days. I can't go a wee in public toilets ether! I don't even go at school! And when I'm on my period I don't go a wee- I only change my towels every couple of hours. It's all driving me mad and I want it to stop! I want to feel normal again but I don't know how..can anyone help me please?:L





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i often find myself not being able to pee in public toilets, either in the urinal or in the cubicle. This may be down to me having ocd but i still can't do it. I even have this trouble at home even though i live alone. I'd rather find a quiet corner of my garden and go there cos i'd be able to focus then but for obvious reasons i don't do this. It's the same when i go out somewhere with friends, and even worse on car journeys. Can anyone help with this problem and offer any advice





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Hi, My name's Steve, I'm a 23 Y/O male. I seem to have problems going for a wee.. Although I know I really need to wee, I'll get in the toilet and nothing happens. So I fins my seld standing in the toilet for about 10minutes before any thing happens. Sometimes it gets so painful and I still can't wee, So I have to poor hot water over the top of my penis which then makes me wee. I feel like such a freak :( It's really embarrassing. What can be causing this problem?? And can I do or buy anything to help me go to toilet like a normal person??? Please help me. Regards Steve.





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what can do to prevent my smelling urine? i cant pee in the presence of boyfriend. pls help me.......





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I have suffered with this problem my whole life.It has stopped me doing many things and I am sick of the way it has a hold on me.I am a very active person and have passed up oppotunities to climb mountains or run across deserts because I know I just cant pee in public.I am 44 years old and feel stupid asking for help on this matter but I dont want to be held back because of it.





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I am unable to urinate in one flow it comes out in stops and starts. What could this be?





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Maybe a good idea to try would be not going into the bathroom with the intention of peeing. It sounds weird but just tell yourself that although you are going into the bathroom, you are not focused on peeing and that it is not your primary goal. Just go in to sit and relax and think about your day or something. When you are unable to pee due to anxiousness, you feel defeated. You give up on trying to go and leave the restroom with a full bladder. This lowers your self esteem about going pee in public, setting you up for future similar incidents.This is because you are so intent on peeing when you go into the bathroom that if you don't accomplish your goal then you are surely going to feel utterly defeated. Pauretics put so much more emphasis on peeing than the rest of the world does. If you stop going into the restroom with such a huge intent on peeing, then you feel less pressure. The next time you have to go pee in public just tell yourself "I'm going into this without any expectation of peeing and if I don't pee, that's ok, I probably wasn't going to be able to anyways with my prior way of thinking." While in the restroom, find something to do such as listening to your music player or looking at pictures on your phone or thinking about future plans. Then, after a little while, try to pee. Don't really think about it just start trying. In fact, you could just start off by not even trying to pee at all for a couple times. Just go into the bathroom, do something that interests you or is relaxing, and then leave. After a couple times, start trying to pee after a little while in the bathroom. The important thing is to grow comfortable in the bathroom. For those with anxiety issues, a lot of there issues stem from a lack of peace and comfort in their surroundings. People have to stop putting so much pressure on themselves to go pee and not corncern themselves with other peoples reactions and feelings. There is no reason to care about what other people think of you. First, it is impossible to know for sure what someone else thinks. Second, you have to come first. You must be more important to yourself than any other human being. If they are judging you, which they usually aren't, so be it. Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The "condition" of pauresis is not really a condition at all, as those that deal with it are unintentionally bringing it upon themselves. You are your own worst enemy sometimes, and this is what people have realize. In addition, another helpful tip is to wear earplugs in the restroom. Also, sometimes, if it comes down to it, just tell yourself you are going to stay in the restroom as long as it takes to go pee. Tell yourself that people can think all that they want, but your health and happiness is most important. Trust me, taking an hour to go pee will not have a huge negative impact on your life and won't lead to any unhappiness. The only thing that will lead to your unhappiness is holding your bladder. Just have patience with yourself and stay determined and impenetrable and at peace with yourself and life. You have the right to a good life with happiness and without this unnecessary problem. Lastly, this is such a silly, yet unfortunate mental issue that is NOT forever. That is, you can and will forget about it at some point in time. It WILL go away.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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