Shy Bladder – Are You Pee Shy?
Are you a man who is afraid to pee in public? Do you struggle with going to the bathroom in public places, like a urinal? Do your pipes freeze up really bad, even though you need to pee really bad?
If the answer is yes, you aren’t alone. Many people in Chicago live with this life challenge. The clinical name for shy bladder syndrome is paruresis. This is a $10.00 term used to describe the dynamic where a person recognizes needs to relieve themselves but are unable to because of anxiety.
Pee shyness can happen to men and women but the research suggests it is an issue that most commonly occurs with guys. When you think of having a bashful bladder, it may conjure up mental imagery of a man being afraid to stand next to another person and urinate.
While paruresis can happen in this manner, it can also occur in other situations.
Examples include:
- Difficulty with going to the bathroom on a plane.
- Problems with urinating in porta-poddy.
- Challenges with urinating in an enclosed bathroom stall in a public bathroom.
- Struggles with relieving yourself while traveling on any moving object (train or bus).
What Causes Shy Bladder Syndrome
There are a number of reasons why some people develop pee shy syndrome. Often starting in childhood and continuing into adulthood, shy bladder syndrome is thought to be deeply linked to anxiety.
Here, we are talking about fears that may stem from early childhood related to a potential psychological trauma or worries about being judged. Some men who have paruresis also struggle with social anxiety.
Believe it or not, there are even some men who can’t urinate next to another man because they fear being judged for not being able to pee on demand. Genital anxiety in some cases can also come into the mix.
Treatment for Shy Bladder Syndrome
One of the most effective approaches for treating paruresis is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Here, your northside based therapist helps you to become gradually more comfortable with urinating in public spaces through:
- Cognitive rehearsals
- Helping to disrupt irrational thought patterns
- Learning new coping strategies
- Mindfulness based interventions
- Exposure therapy
- Homework assignments
- If appropriate, hypnotherapy to reinforce learning concepts
Can Hypnotherapy Really Help?
The Urology Care Foundation offers an insightful article online about shy bladder syndrome. One of the treatment approaches mentioned is clinical hypnotherapy.
What’s important to know is that hypnosis should not be thought of as a standalone treatment. Instead, hypnotherapy should be viewed as an adjunct (aka a tool) of therapy.
Many people have found this mindful approach to wellness incredibly helpful with ameliorating the challenges associated with paruresis so that new beginnings are possible. Here are five of the best hypnotherapists in Chicago to consider.
What Else Should I Know?
It is important to note that there can be medical problems associated with urinating. As such, it is critical that you talk to your doctor about this issue so that they can assess any physiological issues.
Barring any medical causes, you may benefit from working with a therapist. After developing a professional relationship based on trust, your counselor may be able to help you move to a place of change.
How Can I Learn More?
Our counseling offices are located on the North Side of Chicago in the East Lakeview and Uptown area. To make an appointment, fill out our easy to use and confidential online form.
You can also call us at 773.528.1777