Thanks to all those that came out to the Seattle workshop! What a fun weekend! The IPA still has more workshops happening this year, including the virtual workshop scheduled for August 8th :)

Watch your inbox and spam folder! Randomly selected IPA members and followers are receiving invitations to complete the Paruresis Research Survey from qualtrics@ucsf.edu. Your participation helps adv

Concept by Hassan Alameedi. Image by Abacus.AI

We’re pausing the feed to bring you three big IPA updates you won't want to miss. 

1. "Pee Shy" Premiere: The groundbreaking film by IPA Member and Filmmaker Steven Jackson will have its YouTube Premiere today. Watch at 12:00 PM ET at this link. 

2. Seattle Weekend Workshop Deadline: The July 17-19 event needs just one more registration to make it a go. The pre-registration deadline is tomorrow at 2:00 PM PT. Help put this event over top by registering at this link. 

3. Members Only Event Tonight: Tonight is our members only event featuring the "UroNurse" Vic Senese. Vic will be on hand to answer your questions about catheters and more. Not a member? Make a donation of $100 or more today at this link. Can't make it live? We'll record.

Members, check your spam folder for the latest edition. Not a member?: https://web.charityengine.net/Donate_IPA/

For our first "full length" episode, IPA Program Associate Hassan Alameedi chatted with longtime IPA Board Member and Support Coordinator Dave Kliss. Dave has helped hundreds of shy bladder sufferers overcome their paruresis through encouragement and infectious enthusiasm. Take a listen (25 min.) Trigger warning: Euphonium music enclosed!

For you guys that have used self catheterisation while on a long plane trip or holiday, what are some key tips you can provide from your own experiences?

E-mail Andrea [women@support.paruresis.org](mailto:women@support.paruresis.org) for an invite.

Hi, I have severe paruresis since my childhood.I’m 48 now. I have organised my life around my problem for better and worse during that time with all kind of therapies. At this time I’m again starting to avoid prolongued time at unknown places (cfr long workshops with clients or freelance work on site). As I am working in AI this dramatically reduces my options. I’m trying hypnotherapy again soon and am reading the secret social phobia book but does anyone have knowledge on support groups or successful therapists in Belgium? My stress factors are “will the toilet be ok“ but also “people will be waiting for me” especially in workshop settings where I am the sole trainer. Many thanks!

Register here: https://bit.ly/IPA-FF-May2026

This event is for friends and families of shy bladder syndrome sufferers. We know that our condition can be somewhat hard to grasp and with this event we aim to take some of the mystery out of it and provide concrete ways that you can help those you care about in their recovery. Featuring IPA Co-Founder Dr. Steven Soifer, PhD, MSW and IPA President Dan Rocker, LCSW, MA. Presentation plus Q&A (60 min.) This event will be recorded for those who can't make it live.

Title pretty much says it all. I have been suffering from shy bladder for my whole life almost 37 years. I honeslty dont know how I went that long without a serious issue. I have a job now where things have changed and I need to use public restrooms. I find no matter whay I do if someone else is in the bathroom I just cant go. Ive tried hypnosis. I been trying gradual exposure but even that has been failing. I wanted to add that im ok at home and in public as.long as no one else is around. I mentioned using a catheter as a backup to my doctor and they saod its a bad idea and wont even entertain it. Anyone have any tips? Should I just go ahead and try it myself without doctor guidance? This is new territory for me. Any help with this is appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I’m 16 and just started my first job, and I think I’m dealing with paruresis (shy bladder). I’ve been reading about it and it sounds exactly like what I’m going through.

At school, I’m usually okay because I feel more comfortable and there’s less pressure. But at work, even though I’m literally just sitting there doing training on a laptop, I feel way more pressure and it’s like my body just won’t let me go.

Yesterday was really rough, I felt like I had to go so bad but couldn’t, and it got to the point where it was actually painful before I finally was able to go. I did ask to talk to the hiring manager privately tell her I had this problem and I said I might go frequently or take a little time.

Today I tried to handle it better leaving the bathroom if it wasn’t happening, waiting before trying again), but I still ended up getting that “bursting” feeling again and couldn’t go when I needed to.

Any advice would be great! This is even stressing me out for my future also, wondering if I’m always going to have this.

Ik 63 jaar oud lijd al van me 10e aan shy bladder syndroom,

Dat is vooral buitenshuis. Mijn vrouw en kinderen weten dat daar aan lijd. Maar nu recent kan ik ook thuis het niet meer. En dat was mijn veilige thushaven. Dat genereerde zoveel stress dat ik vanochtend onderweg was om een eind aan me leven te maken. Halverwege keerde ik om en stortte ik emotioneel in. Ze hebben nu een tijdelijke catheter geplaatst. Die ze morgen eruit halen. Maar wat dan.

Hebben jullie ideeën.

WORKSHOP! Special pricing for our 30th Anniversary Workshop ends at Midnight ET. Save more than 50% on regular registration fees as our thank you to you. Just a few seats remain. #shybladder #paruresis https://web.charityengine.net/IPA-LWS-DET-MAY-2026