Posted by Geoff P on 16/1/2009, 11:35 am

Hi, My name is Geoff. I'm 53 and have suffered with this all my life. I've only just discovered that it even has a name, and that there is hope of getting over it! It all started for me as a child. My Dad never took me to the toilet, even at home. It was always my Mum, so whenever we were out, it was always to the Ladies and, of course, a cubicle. In fact, there was always this unspoken attitude that having to go at all was something you didn't talk about and you certainly never let anyone see you do. I was not allowed to play with other children either. The first time I remember mixing at all was my first day at nursery school when I was 4. I was terrified. The first time I came accross a urinal was at primary school a year later. I never used it. To be able to go, I have to be alone. For instance, My wife and I do a lot of walking. This means using trees or bushes etc. I'm ok as long as she cannot see or hear me. If we are out with friends, I have to be completely hidden from them. But, often, just having others know what I am doing is enough to freeze me up, even though I can't be seen. I would be a great help to hear from anyone with the same sort of history. We could encourage one another and see some success!

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