Shy bladder (paruresis) treated with hypnosis and hypnotherapy at Liz Hogon Hypnotherapy in Burwood East, Melbourne
What is Shy Bladder?
Shy bladder is a relatively common condition where you can be desperate to go to the toilet yet find that there is no way you can pee if you are in a public place or if people may be able to hear or see you. Most find this condition starts in their teenage years although it can strike at any time.
Other phrases used to describe this surprisingly common condition are 'shy bladder syndrome', 'pee-shyness', 'toilet phobia', 'bashful bladder','cock shy', 'bladder shy' and 'pee phobia'. The full medical term is 'avoidant paruresis'.
Shy bladder syndrome can also go well beyond occasional shyness or embarrassment. Some men using a urinal may find that they are unable to pee at all when other men are present - this may be because they're worried about others seeing their penis or perhaps a feeling of being defenceless if attacked. Most have no idea at all why they feel this way.
Shy bladder can also affect women. If using a crowded rest-room they may find that they are unable to pee. Women are usually not aware that they have this condition as generally the focus in the past has been on problems experienced by males.
Sufferers of shy bladder usually have similar anxieties when on a train, plane, bus or boat. Sometimes it even affects them when they are at home if there are others in the house who can hear them - all in all it can cause huge problems with their social life and work.
These people tend to become very anxious when invited out socially as they first need to ensure that they are able to plan a route that will allow them to use a private toilet if required and of course in many cases this is not possible. Severe sufferers often are unwilling to travel far from their home.
People who have bashful bladder are usually quite shy, not wanting to be scrutinised in a public place. Symptoms often just get progressively worse leading to them finding that their 'safe places' to pee narrow further often causing them to become very reluctant to even leave the house. The effect on their lives can be nothing short of devastating.
Not all people suffer with the most severe form of shy bladder. Some have quite mild symptoms enabling them to pee under certain conditions.
What shy bladder treatment is available?
The good news is that there is treatment available for shy bladder. I understand that you have probably been feeling very embarrassed and unwilling to discuss this problem with anyone (sometimes even your GP) but you can rest assured that I will treat you in a very sensitive and caring way.
I offer a free consultation for you to meet me and decide if I am the right person to help you and also to answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation on either your part or mine! Call me on 0409 254 500 to book an appointment.
If I’m with a client you can leave a confidential message on my voicemail and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, you can email me at liz@lizhogon.com
YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IS GUARANTEED.
Provider Number CM 0611470
ABN 78620587124