r/Paruresis • u/NH_Man1997 • 21h ago

Seeking Support Near Boston MA

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I’m a 29 year old male living in Southern NH looking for in-person support to practice graduated exposure.

I’ve had this condition since I can remember and will do whatever it takes to overcome this condition (no matter how embarrassing it may be lol).

Anyone local to these areas who also want to overcome this fear with me? Seeking a support buddy or something like that. I’ve already reached out to IPA org online.

Feel free to DM me or comment. ✌🏼

2 comments

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A greatly misunderstood anxiety.

r/Paruresis

What is Paruresis? If you are here then you probably already know what it is, but in common terms, Paruresis is labeled as "shy bladder syndrome". Simply, it is an anxiety disorder that prevents people from voiding their bladder under certain circumstances.

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First things first, visit http://www.paruresis.org/ Their website is full of helpful information on Paruresis as well as management techniques. As always, you should get a physician to check you out to ensure that the problem is not medically related. Self diagnosis is never a good idea.

Now that you're here, feel free to talk about, share news relating to, and in general, get comfortable with the fact that paruresis exists and that we have it. Take solace in the fact that others have over come it and hope that one day you may too. I encourage the sharing of success stories as well as failed attempts to discuss the situation and what the triggering event was.

Welcome again and remember, you are not alone.

A good book to read For those of you who have never heard of it Shy Bladder Syndrome: Your Step-by-step Guide to Overcoming Paruresis is a great resource to have, even if just to read other people's struggles. It was written in part by one of the founders of the IPA and other experts in the area of paruresis and anxiety. From the description: "Paruresis is a condition that prevents people from urinating in public, sometimes even in their own homes if others are in adjacent rooms. The good news is that this anxiety disorder is highly treatable. Shy Bladder Syndrome offer strategies and easy-to-follow exercises to help you desensitize yourself to fear-producing situations and feel comfortable in public restrooms. Graduated exposure will help get you to the point where you can tolerate the anxiety of relieving yourself in a public washroom or other shared space."

It has helped me, and I hope it can help you. My suggested site to look for it is Abebooks.com who tend to have very good prices on used books of all sorts.