U.K. PARURESIS TRUST: Cured

Hi everyone!

I had paruresis for about two years. It ruined my life, I couldn't go out without being an anxious wreck. I used to tell lies to my friends like ''I'm going to go and buy some food!'' to go and piss in a bush down the road because I couldn't use the one at the house. I used to turn down chances to go to gigs, go clubbing, everything like that. I came on this board asking for advice, and even went so far as to see a urologist (may have spelt that wrong) and got catheters although I never used them. Basically it ruined and controlled my life, it was an obesssion which I hated, much like it probably is for all you guys that still have it.

Then last year I went to uni. I shared a flat with 11 other people, and had no choice but to use a busy toilet, there was always loads of people in my flat as well so it was a stressful situation.

Basically, after many many times of practicing going in busy places, were I had my fair share of failures, I can now succesfully go practically anywhere. I never get the freezing feeling, or the anxiety. I never, ever get it. I am about 99% over my problem.

Advice I would give people is don't avoid going out, don't think OH THERES NO POINT IN EVEN TRYING IN THAT TOILET, all those things like that. Don't avoid the situation confront it and eventually, with some practice, you'll get over it. I had some nights where I went clubbing and had to be drunk before I could go but after desensitising myself I can now go even sober, anywhere.

Good luck everyone in getting over this horrendous problem, it can be done, seriously, and then loasd more of life will be open to you, and that which was open before will become loads more enjoyable.