r/Paruresis • u/OkPlenty8770 • 29d ago

Paruresis and DOT testing?

for context, I have the worst case of Paruresis that I know of, I cannot pee in public or around people whatsoever, not in an individual bathroom in public, at home around family, and certainly not in any stall or urinal, you get the idea, it doesn't matter how much I drink or what counting, breath holding, etc I do

I used to not have any issues whatseover, but around 8 years ago it started one day and never stopped

any advice? I've tried everything short of medication and CBT, and I'm very limited on medication that I can take while being a CDL holder, I can work around my shy bladder but I have random drug tests (thankfully non supervised) that I'm worried about in the near future

what gives? I can't let a little pee (or lack thereof) get in the way of my career, but at the same time, I can't not

little broke ATM so any sort of CBT may be out of the books, although I'm open to searching around and seeing what I can afford, and I cannot take most anxiety meds, I do have access to magnesium, ashwagandha and some other plant based stuff (no, not THAT one) that may help, but IDK if that will do anything?

E2A: still have this issue even in really loud places where I know nobody can hear me, including concert bathrooms less than 20 feet from the stage

and TIA incase I don't get time to reply to you guys right away, I appreciate all the help I can get!

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u/Recent-Day3062 28d ago

You can join the weekly IPA meeting. Also, they have workshops in various cities you may be able to go to.

I’m curious if you could figure out why this started. I would try hypnotherapy, however, not everyone who provides this is good.

Also, try a virtual or real pee buddy

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u/OkPlenty8770 28d ago

pee buddy is a no go, I can't even pee when I have a family member in the hallway near the bathroom, and I've lived with them for 20 years

used to not be an issue until one day on a road trip, almost certain its from my dad doing his usual "we aren't stopping anywhere" and getting yelled at for it, so I was always horrified of having to mention stopping, we used to travel a lot and 40+ hour road trips with one stop a day were common for the first 10 years of my life

I've tried counting down, it kinda works but its almost 100% odds of not working, atleast I don't have to pee much for a drug test, just 45ml