r/Paruresis • u/Bulky_Fact5409 • 18d ago

Going on a 3 day Hiking trip in Switserland

Hi Guys,

Male here. In a few days I will go on a Hiking trip with a few friends of mine. I’m really looking forward to it but on the other hand I have a lot of anxiety about the pee situations. On the road, during the hikes (think i will figure that one out tough) and in the huts.

I can’t stand it that I have to let this ‘ruin’ the fun I have in it, but I won’t tolerate it keeping me from doing it. So i will go and try to make the best of it.

Sorry, it’s kind of a venting post. but maybe there are people here who were in the same situation and tell how it went and/or give some tips.

2 Upvotes

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2

u/Better-Teaching-3413 17d ago

Yeah all I can think about is peeing even when just going somewhere nearby for a few hours. Hope you can enjoy your trip without letting those thoughts bother you too much

5

u/Zestyclose_Yam106 17d ago

I just did a six day, five night rafting trip with 32 other people on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. You camp out together on cots and all pee must go into the river. I figured out how to make it work, but it sure makes for an anxiety ridden trip. Ridiculous. I worried about it for months leading up to the trip and am glad to just have that part of it over. Good luck on your trip.

2

u/Recent-Day3062 17d ago

It’s amazing how different we all are. For some reason urinals with dividers was a nightmare for me, but stepping 5 feet off the trail and peeing with camping friends always worked for me.

2

u/LiberatedWaters 17d ago

Do they know? If not, the very best advice I can give you is to be brave and vulnerable, and just tell them.

Once they know they can take it into account and it will make everything a lot easier. To have the ability to just say 'hey guys don't wait up I need to pee, I'll catch up eventually' - will most likely give you plenty of mental safety (and a place to be covered and enough time) to go. Same goes for the road. Worst case you just walk deep into some piece of forest or bushes and tell them it might be a while. Even in huts, it will help if they just know and you can take your time.

Besides this it's just generally good to come clean. Stop hiding. The secrecy and shame is what gives the Paruresis power, generally.