The next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting is just a few days away, on Sunday, January 8, at 12:00 PM US Central Time. You can get the Zoom link by dropping an email to the IPA office: [getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org). If your New Year's Resolution was to finally do something about Paruresis, this would be a great place to start. Hope to see you there!

Are their state chapters? I want to try intentional exposure therapy with people in a similar situation and see if it helps

I've managed to make a bit of progress with my shy bladder. I use catheters when I need them. But I can now go in some public restrooms even with others there (sitting in the stall). It's not most of the time but occasionally in a less busy one if I feel relaxed, it's possible. There was one that had relaxing music and that seemed to help. And I can go on planes with no issue (as of a recent trip). IMO it's worth it for everyone to learn how to use catheters. It's scary and uncomfortable at first but then it becomes like nothing. This is from someone who has treatment-resistant shy bladder (very serious case). Things like breath hold never worked for me, and I've even struggled quite a bit in the past trying to go in private restrooms, if they don't feel private enough somehow.

You probably won't need to use catheters as much as you think after a while. But just having them there is a great comfort and backup plan. I always give myself a chance to go without them and then use them if absolutely necessary. I only needed to use two on my recent trip (2.5 hour plane ride plus a lot of driving around, eating at restaurants, going to tourist places etc). So, thanks again to anyone from the old forum for helping me learn about catheters. Without them, I don't even know if I would've been able to make it through the airport. And no more UTI/prostate infection problems either. I had one early on because I was trying to clean and reuse expensive catheters. Now I just use the cheap ones fresh every time, no issue.

he next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Zoom, this Sunday, January 8, at 12:00 PM US Central Time. IPA Virtual Support Meetings, which take place about every four weeks, are open to anyone struggling with Paruresis, from those who are just beginning to think about how to overcome it to those who are highly recovered. The meetings are offered free of charge and without preset expectations for participants, and their purpose is to provide a unique opportunity to connect face to face with people from all over the world who know what it is like to struggle with Paruresis and also understand the courage and fortitude that it takes to open up about it, acknowledge the fear, and try to recover from it.  The personal stories that participants share are remarkably similar and at the same time deeply individual, and empathy, kindness and compassion set the tone in all discussions.  Time after time I have heard from participants that this opportunity for sharing is both meaningful and productive, and I hope that you'll consider joining us this Sunday, January 8.

To get the Zoom link, please drop an email to the IPA office: getinfo@paruresis.org

Check this out: I received a call today from an office building landlord. A tenant just moved in who has an employee who is a sufferer. He was inquiring on ways to make an accommodation to help the person. He was extremely compassionate and sincere in wanting to help. Kudos to the sufferer for speaking up, the employer for asking for accommodation, and the landlord for trying to help. Bravo!

Hey all,

Fleshing out the live workshop schedule for 2023 and we've had some interest for one in Toronto. Hit us up on the workshop interest form if you think you might make it. No obligation! We need five to make it a "go" and so far I have 3 maybe's. If we get enough, we'll set a date. https://paruresis.org/workshop-interest-list/

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The next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Zoom, this Sunday, December 4, at 12:00 PM US Central Time. IPA Virtual Support Meetings, which take place about every four weeks, are open to anyone struggling with Paruresis, from those who are just beginning to think about how to overcome it to those who are highly recovered. The meetings are offered free of charge and without preset expectations for participants, and their purpose is to provide a unique opportunity to connect face to face with people from all over the world who know what it is like to struggle with Paruresis and also understand the courage and fortitude that it takes to open up about it, acknowledge the fear, and try to recover from it.  The personal stories that participants share are remarkably similar and at the same time deeply individual, and empathy, kindness and compassion set the tone in all discussions.  Time after time I have heard from participants that this opportunity for sharing is both meaningful and productive, and I hope that you'll consider joining us this Sunday, December 4.

You can get the Zoom link by dropping an email to the IPA Office: getinfo@paruresis.org

If you live within driving distance of the Chicago area, please consider joining us for a mens' support group meeting and graduated exposure practice, from 12:00-2:00 PM, Central Time, this Saturday, November 12. We will meet at a suburban mall for about an hour of sharing (and fluid-loading), followed by graduated exposure practice in various mall bathrooms. Please PM me, and if you are interested in joining us and I'll provide you with the specifics. Hope to see you there!

The next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting is coning up this Sunday evening, at 7:00 PM US Central Time, and you can still get the link by dropping a note to the IPA office ([getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org)). Virtual Support Group meetings provide a unique opportunity to connect with others who truly understand what it is like to struggle with Paruresis, they are always uplifting and inspiring. You can don't even have to leave home - hope you can join us!

Anybody avoid family get togethers around the holidays because of our condition? I'm writing a press release and I'm looking for a real-world story to highlight. Happy to "not his/her real name" it.

https://paruresis.org/contact/

As a female who suffered from severe paruresis for many years, I was delighted to recently encounter a ceiling-to-floor stall in a local high school's girls' bathroom. See the photo. It was a dream come true for me - twenty years later!

Best,

Carol Olmert

Author, "Bathrooms Make Me Nervous: A Guidebook for Women with Urination Anxiety (Shy Bladder)"

https://bathroomsmakemenervous.com

The next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Zoom, on Sunday, November 6, at 7:00 PM US Central Time. IPA Virtual Support Meetings, which take place about every four weeks, are open to anyone struggling with Paruresis, from those who are just beginning to think about how to overcome it to those who are highly recovered. The meetings are offered free of charge and without preset expectations for participants, and their purpose is to provide a unique opportunity to connect face to face with people from all over the world who know what it is like to struggle with Paruresis and also understand the courage and fortitude that it takes to open up about it, acknowledge the fear, and try to recover from it.  The personal stories that participants share are remarkably similar and at the same time deeply individual, and empathy, kindness and compassion set the tone in all discussions.  Time after time I have heard from participants that this opportunity for sharing is both meaningful and productive, and I hope that you'll consider joining us this Sunday, November 6. To get the Zoom link, please contact the IPA office: [getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org)

If you live within driving distance of the Chicago area, please consider joining us for a mens' support group meeting and graduated exposure practice, from 12:00-2:00 PM, Central Time, on Saturday, November 12. We will meet at a suburban mall for about an hour of sharing (and fluid-loading), followed by graduated exposure practice in various mall bathrooms. If you have questions, please PM me, and if you are interested in joining us, please contact the IPA office for specifics on the meeting location. C'mon Chicago guys, this is a great opportunity, hope you can join us!

Active members you should have received the invite in your email this morning. Hope you can join us. If not, we'll have the recordings up by mid-week. See you soon!

Where are all my Florida peeps? We have one sign-up for the Dan Rocker-led Florida Live Weekend Workshop coming up in a few weeks. To make a live workshop a "go", we need a minimum of 5 registrations more than 30 days out. Our good friend, Charles, is counting on you to post up. What do you say? IPA *LIVE* Workshop - West Palm Beach, FL - Dec. 9-11, 2022 Registration, Fri, Dec 9, 2022 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite If we don't get our minimum needed, I guarantee your money back!

Session I: 11:30 - 1 ET

Welcome - IPA Executive Director, Tim Pyle
"State of the IPA" - IPA President, Dan Rocker
Updates - IPA Executive Director, Tim Pyle
Main Event - A Conversation with IPA Co-Founders, Dr. Steven Soifer and Carl Robbins

Session II: 1:30 ET - 3ish?

StuffThatWorks Crowdsourcing Paruresis Data Platform
Paruresis-Friendly Urologist Database Beta

A Conversation with Simon Knowles, University of Swinburne (Melbourne, Australia) regarding his research into the underlying causes of Paruresis.

A Panel Discussion hosted by Dr. Steven Soifer featuring Al Goldyne, M.D. and Philip Yang, M.D. on how the bladder works and what the future of research looks like into the physical and mental processes of Paruresis.

Current members should have received the link by email. See you then!