Good experience with GP and Urologist
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:52 pm
Hi everybody, it's been a while since posting, so long in fact I forgot my UN and PW!
Anyway I have somewhat regressed in my battle against paruresis. While it no longer completely rules my life it still effects many choices I make.
I realised a couple of years ago a poor self image is at the heart of my condition and other issues in my life. I have been so critical of myself that I wouldn't even visit a GP, the last visit was around 20 years ago! My false thoughts (and other peoples experiences) had me thinking doctors would just laugh at me, but I got to a point where I just didn't care what anyone thought, so I finally contacted a local GP. When I first met him my false thoughts started again 'he's awefully young I said to myself' and I wasn't sure if I would be able to talk to him about AP. But to his credit he made me feel so comfortable I was able to discuss all my insecurities and anxieties. He mentioned he'd seen somebody with paruresis only the week before and said he'd come across it quite a bit. He suggested I should visit a urologist he knows that is well aware of paruresis.
While it is suggested we visit a urologist to make sure there is no medical reason for AP, I skipped this process out of fear, but once again my thoughts proved to be false. Like the GP the urologist couldn't have made me feel more 'comfortable' or 'normal', so I'm booked into hospital for a thorough inspection!
So maybe the condition is gaining the recognition it deserves, in the medical fraternity anyway. It probably stands to reason that younger doctors may be a little more in tune with social anxiety disorders. I hope this helps anyone out there with the same concerns about seeking professional help, just move on to another if you are met with any negative attitudes.
Tim
Anyway I have somewhat regressed in my battle against paruresis. While it no longer completely rules my life it still effects many choices I make.
I realised a couple of years ago a poor self image is at the heart of my condition and other issues in my life. I have been so critical of myself that I wouldn't even visit a GP, the last visit was around 20 years ago! My false thoughts (and other peoples experiences) had me thinking doctors would just laugh at me, but I got to a point where I just didn't care what anyone thought, so I finally contacted a local GP. When I first met him my false thoughts started again 'he's awefully young I said to myself' and I wasn't sure if I would be able to talk to him about AP. But to his credit he made me feel so comfortable I was able to discuss all my insecurities and anxieties. He mentioned he'd seen somebody with paruresis only the week before and said he'd come across it quite a bit. He suggested I should visit a urologist he knows that is well aware of paruresis.
While it is suggested we visit a urologist to make sure there is no medical reason for AP, I skipped this process out of fear, but once again my thoughts proved to be false. Like the GP the urologist couldn't have made me feel more 'comfortable' or 'normal', so I'm booked into hospital for a thorough inspection!
So maybe the condition is gaining the recognition it deserves, in the medical fraternity anyway. It probably stands to reason that younger doctors may be a little more in tune with social anxiety disorders. I hope this helps anyone out there with the same concerns about seeking professional help, just move on to another if you are met with any negative attitudes.
Tim