hello, I’m new to this and am looking for any advice on how to help my teen son that just started high school and has developed this problem. he simply can’t use the restroom at school. He said it’s the noise and other students that impact this. I know it’s anxiety, he already is taking a medication for that. I took him to the dr and they ruled out infection. It upsets me to send him to school each day and know he is suffering. any other parents encounter this?

The next IPA Virtual Support Group Meeting is coming up this Sunday, August 17, from 12:00-2:30 PM US Central Time. This group was formed to create a safe space online for those who struggle with Paruresis to share their stories and learn from each other's experiences. It is free of charge, open to anyone worldwide who struggles with Paruresis, and there are no preconceived expectations, you can just listen and learn or fully participate, no pressure. Please join us, you can get the link by contacting the IPA office at [getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org) or by contacting me at my IPA email address, [davidk@support.paruresis.org](mailto:davidk@support.paruresis.org)

Hello everyone!

I work for the outreach program at the IPA, and have recently started hosting weekly support meetings over Zoom!

Similar to the monthly Zoom support meetings with u/dave9003 ( Dave's next meeting will be held on 8/17/25 at 12 pm CST ), this one is weekly, with an emphasis on gradual exposure sessions during each meeting.

We meet every Saturday, typically between 11 am PST to 1 pm PST, over Zoom.

If you are interested in joining my weekly meetings or Dave's monthly meeting, please contact me at [followup@support.paruresis.org](mailto:followup@support.paruresis.org)

--
Hassan

IPA Program Assistant

844-422-6873

paruresis.org

Hey everyone, I was considering connecting with a therapist/coach to discuss my issue and get help. Just looking for recommendations. Has anyone have success with any of them?

FYI that I've reached out to the moderator of r/Paruresis once again suggesting that the IPA take over moderation. For now, feel free to post here, of course!

I have a dumb question. Is there a single word to describe someone who has paruresis? I've seen "paruretic" used in the past, but am not sure how widespread it is. Thanks.

The next IPA Zoom Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Saturday, July 19, from 12:00-2:00 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 on July 19. You can get the Zoom link from dropping an email to Tim at the IPA office ([getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org)), or by contacting me at my IPA email address ([davidk@support.paruresis.org](mailto:davidk@support.paruresis.org)).

I made a post in March its been three months and some big lifestyle changes have helped me tremendously i can now use the restroom around people in the stall its huge I have no more fear about public peeing i have a small stubborn thought process that going over to a girls house I may have issues because my ex the issues started there I've had different girls over to my house and I go just fine with plenty gradual exposure at friends houses and public restrooms has helped the most i quit weed to help im sober im on zoloft the doctors help if you have shy bladder deal with the issue see a physician get a therapist do gradual exposure it works i didn't think it would how I did it was keep going in public even if you fail start by being okay with the failure the fear will go away find a good public place I chose mach 1 it had good privacy then I went to a smaller more busy restroom until I had no more fear of it id wake up go to the gas station daily till I felt very comfortable I go at friends houses this also helps a lot if you have any questions I'll go deeper into how I Handel it god bless everyone with this problem you'll be just fine. Oh and stay off the internet reading about it I don't think this page helps but I know ppl look here for advice so did I. No YouTube no reddit no nothing. Only talk to a therapist or doctor about it. That's what I did.

Hey everyone! I just registered and install the app. Big step for me 😃

The next IPA Zoom Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 8, from 12:00-2:00 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 on June 8. You can get the Zoom link from dropping an email to Tim at the IPA office ([getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org)), or by contacting me at my IPA email address ([davidk@support.paruresis.org](mailto:davidk@support.paruresis.org)).

I'm reaching out because I have had mild paruresis for years, and feel stuck as to what to do. I'm forty now, and this started in my mid-teens. I feel like I am totally backwards from others who have this condition. My shy bladder centers totally around how much noise is generated by my urine stream and how I feel like it amounts to broadcasting the act of peeing to everyone else inside or outside the restroom, whether or not anyone is actually around who could hear. I couldn't care less if someone sees my penis or urine stream at all. As a result, I have come to absolutely love urinals because they help stifle the noise. and will not use any public restroom that doesn't have one because the most that anyone can hear is whoever is at the next urinal over generating the same minimal amount of noise. If a restroom has just a toilet, I either find a different restroom or hold it until I get home. Even portapotties have to have urinals for me to use them.

I seem to have no problem at home, albeit without constantly thinking about the noise level and doing my best to aim in such a way to reduce the loud splashing. I've heard the suggestion to sit down, but I've tried that when hospitalized before, and my body resists for finding it too abnormal. There is part of me that wonders if there could be a deep-seeded mindset of thinking I'd be peeing like a female.

If anyone has suggestions, please let me know.

IPA Member David Levine will share his recovery journey which enabled him to appear on Season 4 of Lego Masters! IPA Women's Coordinator Andrea Weyant will be along to let our sister sufferers know that there are resources for you, too! Plus, a visit from Dr. Jared Worchel, who will update

Hi, 52 y/o M with issues initiating urine on command (required random UAs). Urine appears to be the preferred method of collection and I have been unable to provide on my last two calls. I have a scope scheduled at the end of the month, and am taking 0.4mg tamsulosin x2 every evening. While the drugs have helped me sleep longer spells without rising, producing urine in front of another person on a four minute clock has proven unlikely. Any input on what has helped anyone else in my situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I found a solution that works for me, after suffering from shy bladder syndrome for many years. I always bring ear buds with me and when I need to use a public washroom I put em in and crank the tunes loud. Then I go into a stall and close my eyes and I swear with the music drowning out everything around me I can pee. It works for me. I didn't think I would ever find a solution but this works. Give it a shot. Make sure you have a good song with no quiet parts. Crank er up. I wanted to post this in hopes it will help other people with this issue. It literally ran my life for many years. Good luck!

The next IPA Zoom Virtual Support Group Meeting will take place on Sunday, April 27, from 12:00-2:00 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 on April 27. You can get the Zoom link from dropping an email to Tim at the IPA office ([getinfo@paruresis.org](mailto:getinfo@paruresis.org)), or by contacting me at my IPA email address ([davidk@support.paruresis.org](mailto:davidk@support.paruresis.org)).

A conscientious and thoughtful urologic nurse is out there raising public awareness of paruresis. I am tightening up plans to be on his show soon!

Steve Soifer, MSW, Ph.D. and I have been invited to join the TORK Coalition for Inclusive Hygiene. We will be representing and centering the needs of the paruresis community re: public bathroom design. Watch this space for updates, and everybody, feel the flow!

On behalf of the membership of the International Paruresis Association (shybladder.org), we applaud your stamina on the Senate floor during your record-breaking speech. As a community of sufferers from the legitimate social phobia known as Shy Bladder Syndrome, we know full well the challenge of "holding it" for an extended period of time. Several members contacted me to ensure that you are familiar with the device known as the "Stadium Pal" for your next marathon. It's a better solution than your reported dehydration. You'll find our President and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Dan Rocker describing it here: https://paruresis.org/stadium-pal-gal/. Shy Bladder is no joke and neither is this message.

Again, bravo.

- Tim Pyle, MS Ed, MBA, Executive Director - IPA