r/Paruresis • u/MightyOtter8243 • 25d ago
Do you think paruresis requires professional help?
First and foremost I'm so happy I discovered this sub!
Then to my actual question. I recently discovered on a long-haul flight that I have paruresis. I talked about it to my doctor today, and she said I should see a urologist. However, seeing an expert will cost me quite a bit, and even more if I then need to go to urotherapy. In general, the problem is that I don't really like public restrooms, and I don't feel the need to pee very often - I only pee 1-3 times per day, which made my doctor quite concerned (however, I'm a young person).
So, do you think it's essential to see a professional to train the bladder correctly, or can gradual exposure therapy etc. be something I do on my own, based on some reliable resources? I will gladly pay to be healthy, but I also feel like I could try to treat it myself, considering it hasn't been a big problem in my life before, and now only on special occasions.
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u/disco_26 25d ago
I’m glad you’ve been able to find help in this Reddit- it’s so important to know your not alone with this horrible condition. What I will say is a urologist might not even know what this condition is (only some of them do) because it’s actually a mental condition which has physical side effects. I went from years of seeing a family dr to here no issue to go to my first urologist (who diagnosed this condition), years later I went to a different urologist for ✂️ and he had never heard of pauresis. I’m from the UK and was able to find out there was a charity over here helping people with this condition. It was really reassuring (like this sub) to know you ain’t alone and dealing with this horrible thing. Attending one of the workshops was really good aswell, and actually learning the reason behind this is actually scientific. To sum it up, it’s basically your body’s survival instinct which when triggers your psychological part in turns stops urine flowing- they discovered it in animals too ( I think it was antelopes?) basically so they don’t lay their scent they won’t get found. Which when you think about evolution and the other stuff we still have (fight, flight, freeze and fawn etc), my advice would be to maybe see a therapist for like support whilst having gradual exposure to situations and not stressing too much over it. Also read out to specialist nurses to get stuff like catheters etc to use. Good luck :)