Shy bladder? What it is and what to do about it

What to do about it
There are many ways to remedy a shy bladder. First, talk about it with friends and family members. Most people with shy bladders feel they are the only ones with the problem, and just talking about it can help to resolve the issue.

Classic therapy is to put yourself in progressively more stressful bathroom situations until you overcome your shyness. Dr. Miller suggests starting out with something you can manage and taking careful baby steps from there. "A lot of people can work it out for themselves," he says.

You might also want to enlist a "pee buddy" who helps by standing down the hall or in the next room. He or she can edge progressively closer to the bathroom each time you pee until you're comfortable with them standing right outside the door.

Alternatively, you can also seek professional help. Dr. Miller says the exact therapy depends on the therapist and the individual, but overall it will teach you to relax, neutralize tensions, develop confidence, and move beyond any anxiety-provoking experiences stuck in your mind. "With me, we might go from the least anxiety-provoking situation to the most, and I help them walk through it all," he says.

Other useful tips
Also check out the International Paruresis Association for resources, online forums, workshops and support groups.

The best news is you can overcome shy bladder syndrome. According to Dr. Miller, the more confident you become and more empowered you feel about using public facilities, your symptoms will slowly go away.

So relax, take it easy, be good to yourself and those menacing public washrooms will become wonderful spaces of relief.

Page 2 of 2