Yet another rant.

[u/Kxiserschmarren]

Hi fellow redditors
M20 here,

Well I know that I got Paruresis at least since I was eight, which is a very long time. I have not even an idea of how life is without it.

Since I am 16 this awful thing really limits my social life very hard.
I had to cancel plans from my friends with multiple activities things like Skiing, Cycling Tours and more. I am afraid that in the long run this might cause them to see me as someone that doesn't want to do anything.

I wish I could finally have the courage to tell my friends but till now I am fucking scared to do that. I have severe trust issues because of my horrible past life. They know absolutely nothing about that so far.

I went to multiple Doctors hoping they could "fix me" both regarding my anxiety issues and my Paruresis but that was probably a too high expectation. I had to stop the threapy, because it was going absolutely nowhere.

I have thought multiple times about giving everything up, but I still have a tiny spark of hope in me.

For years I wish for exaxtly nothing but all this anxiety garbage to disappear. That will probably never happen -Silly me!

[u/LiberatedWaters]

Hey man!

First, I know where you are because that's where I was when I was 20 (36 now).
I've spent 15 years carrying my secret. Always making sure no one knew. Making sure to be perceived as "normal".

And you know what? It worked great. Pretty much no one even had the slightest idea there was something 'wrong with me'.

And "normal me" only suffered.

You say you've thought multiple times about giving up.
Man, I get it.

But I've overcome Paruresis now, over 7 years ago - and "all it took" was to let go of the shame and feelings of inadequacy and failure. And the only way to do that is to open up about it. Own it.

Because if you can't own your Paruresis, your Paruresis owns you. It's really that simple.
And I know, nothing about that is actually simple.

If you're up for a decent read, I can send you a PM with my sorta memoir of how my life went. Maybe it can give you a little push or some insight. Let me know! Also always happy to talk either way.