Posted by Steph on 9/11/2008, 9:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Workshops are great"

Luke, I was also in that workshop a few weeks ago and it was one of the most positive expereince of my life. I had this for 25 years and it has certainly controlled part of my life. I had never told absolutely anyone even when I was really distressed about it in my teenage years. I first told a urologist six months ago and then my wife a few weeks before the workshop. The reaction was pretty much the opposite of what you are fearing. It actually takes a lot of courage for a man to be ready to confront his own phobia, spend 48 hours discussing it with total strangers and do what it akes to tackle the issue. My wife was impressed that I was courageous enough to do so, didn't judge me whatsoever for having the phobia in the first place. She even mentioned that she and other women can also freeze in a stressful cubicle situation which was news to me. And the first thing I did the next day the workshop was to tell two of my mates about my paruresis and the workshop. I never ever thought I could that but then again their reaction impressed me tremendously as they also mentioned to me that they had their own share of irrational fears (although not paruresis) and were totally supportive. So basically, don't be scare to tell your wife, it will be you first step toward recovery and do attend the workshop, they are brilliant. Good luck Steph

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