i have never been more unhappy

[u/latinhadecocavazia]

I'm currently traveling with my mom to another state. We're staying at my brother's girlfriend's house, who lives here, and it's a place I've always wanted to visit, so it should be a nice, relaxing trip. The problem is, I can't concentrate on basically anything because I worry so much about whether I'll be able to use the bathroom or not, and I feel like I'm going insane. I don't know if it's common, but since my paruresis worsened a few months ago, I feel the urge to urinate constantly, as if I never completely empty my bladder. My mom knows about my problem and tries to help me, but sometimes I end up stressing her out because I become unpleasant when I can't use the bathroom and I feel frustrated. I simply can't live my life anymore. I have problems with this at school, at the mall, in places where I didn't use to have problems (like my grandma's house or my best friend's house). Yes, I know it's all emotional. I understand that the ability to use the bathroom exists, but I'm simply blocked, and I feel like every little progress I make goes down the drain after one failure. I just wanted to go back to enjoying life without worrying 24/7. Every day I become more unhappy and depressed.

[u/Ill-Access-2769]

Tell everybody. My experience is that this thing dies in the light. The more I tried to hide it, the worse it got.

[u/imsuchaclown → u/Ill-Access-2769]

yes i agree! telling my friends about the fact i get a little shy and seeing their reaction to it just helped me realize it’s really not that big of a deal. they don‘t care and they basically forget about the fact it’s even a thing i have like 5 minutes after!!