Рет қаралды 38,812
Sometimes you might find it almost impossible to pee at a public toilet. This is when Shy Bladder Syndrome kicks in. If you do ever experienced this, than know you are not alone. It is a very common social phobia and it is the focus of today’s video. We will cover what it is, what symptoms it causes and how to fix it.
This video is part of a videoseries on sex and urinal tract related medical problem. Find the playlists here: • Sex Related Medical Pr...
The urinary tract
It includes your kidneys, your bladder, your ureters and your urethra. In essence the urge to pee comes from the bladder. As it fills more and more with urine, it will expand, ultimately triggering nerve endings in the bladder to send a message to your brain. You need to pee.
Shy bladder syndrome
You will find it difficult or even impossible to urine when other people are around. Other terms for this condition are; paruresis, bashful bladder syndrome or pee phobia.
It is a type of social phobia. People with this condition are physically able to pee, but their anxiety prevents them from being able to go in certain situations or places. This often includes public restrooms or someone else’s bathroom. This anxiety causes the sphincters in the bladder and urethra to tighten. The severity of shy bladder syndrome can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.
- In mild cases it may happen on occasional events, much like a form of performance anxiety. Someone goes to a public urinal and may find himself unable to urinate when he is flanked by other men.
- In severe cases someone; may need complete privacy when going to the toilet, may only be able to pee at home, may not be able to pee when guests are present, may feel anxious about needing to urinate, may restrict drinking to reduce the need for urination, may avoid social events or traveling and may criticize him/herself for not being able to pee.
Tips and tricks
It all starts with a healthy base level. If you are in the best shape possible, physically as well as mentally, this helps you to cope with everything life throws at you.
- Your doctor might also share some specific advise aimed at coping with shy bladder syndrome. One of the most important things to do, is to keep practicing. So you could make a list where you rank urination locations from easiest to most difficult. The idea is, to start peeing at the easiest locations and work your way up.
- It could also be helpful to meditate or do breathing exercises. This could help you to control your anxiety and relax your urinary tract.
- It is also important to avoid negative self-talk and take it slowly. Don’t pressure yourself too much. It usually takes 12 sessions to see considerable improvement. And remember Shy bladder syndrome is a common phobia, you are not abnormal.
Treatment options
- First of all, cognitive behavioural therapy. This treatment can help you to change your behaviors, by changing the way you think and behave.
- An other option could be graduated exposure therapy. Here a therapist helps you to practice peeing in a controlled environment. Over several sessions a week your gradually increase your exposure to difficult urination locations.
- Other useful therapies could be hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. In addition your doctor might also recommend medication, which might lower anxiety complaints.
- Lastly, in the period you are working on this fear, but still are not able to pee outside your house, your doctor might recommend self-catheterization. Which is a tube that can be entered through the urethra to the bladder to empty the bladder when you are away from home. This is not a permanent solution, but it can enable you to keep living the life you want to life.
- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
I want to give special thanks to my sponsors on Patreon:
- Sebastian Houwing: Investor
Literature:
1: KidsHealth. (2022). Your Urinary System. KidsHealth.
2: Cleveland Clinic medical professional. (2021). Shy Bladder Syndrome (Paruresis). Cleveland Clinic.
3: Better Health Channel. (2020). Shy bladder syndrome. Better Health Channel.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from www.canva.com/.
Follow me on instagram: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Follow me on twitter: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Support me on Patreon: / howtomedicate