Paruresis Association of Australia

I have severe paruresis it has gotten a little bit better i honestly don't have any negative thoughts when im in the toilet but i think it's just tuned into my brain that i can't wonder if they could fix that don't see how though any thoughts?

The answer to your posts question is - YES.

I personally have found that a psychologist can be very helpful in assisting you retrain your brain from the years of negative thought patterns caused by paruresis.
Most psychologists have been trained to help people who suffer with all sorts of anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias. Paruresis is listed as a social anxiety disorder. Thus any counselling with a trained specialist in these areas should help you. They normally use CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). It certainly helped me with me deal with my severe parureis which I had for over 45 years.

Your GP should be able to recommend one in your local area.

Counselling by itself will not help you overcome your paruresis you need also to use graduated exposure therapy as described in the book by Steven Soifer "Shy Bladder Syndrome".

How does it help, and what do they say? I thought about it numerous times and personally think gradual exposure is the only way.

Here is a good link which helps explain CBT.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv ... ur_therapy

Here is another good link on CBT that I just stumbled across on the IPA web site...worth reading right through...

http://paruresis.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8763

Psychs dont help the situation, they look down on ya, like it dont exist, just like the doctors, dont go to them bro, waste of time, dont give them the satisfaction. Peace, Jonno

JJ_29 wrote:Psychs dont help the situation, they look down on ya, like it dont exist, just like the doctors, dont go to them bro, waste of time, dont give them the satisfaction. Peace, Jonno

I don't think they help a lot, but they are not deliberately unhelpful either.
This is mainly a behavioural and poor conditioning disorder, and psychologists often look for deep-rooted psychological causes that don't exist.
In saying that, they may be able to help in chaging some negative mind patterns, the only other help may be in relaxation and visualisation techniques, which are not specific to paruresis.
But for the most part, they don't get it.

Hi, New here and thought I'd share my thoughts. I've been suffering from Paruresis for about 15 years now. Started in high school from what I remember. I only recently started actively trying to beat this phobia. I started seeing a psychologist about 2 months ago. I would agree with the above posts, he tends to focus on some underlying condition that may or may not exist (yet to find one). There have been some interesting take aways from the process though and I am learning more about myself and how I think so it is having a wider impact on me than originally planned.

In regards to progress as a result of the treatment, I'd say its been minor so far. One major take away for me was that for some people this condition is no more than an annoyance while I like others I assume focus on it a lot and it troubles me mentally constantly. I would say I have mild Paruresis and rarely cannot go in some way or another in public (still need privacy though). This has helped me be more comfortable with the issue, and has helped me talk to people about it and be less concerned about what others think. For an issue that has roots in focusing too much on what others think while going to the toilet you could say is a big step in the right direction. It's helped me be more willing to take risks and try in places where I would normally avoid.

So will a physiologist solve the issue for you? Perhaps. Now I've made the decision to get over this issue I wouldn't rule it out.

Probably best to keep things uncomplicated.Sadly most shrinks don't know much about paruresis & tend to get bogged down in the remembering process,this can be very time consuming & exxxxxtremely expensive & unnecessary.Much better to link up through PAA with others who are really in the know & glean necessary info & practical help in a graduated way.