Posted by Tom on 14/11/2010, 9:54 pm

Hi guys, I came across this site whilst doing myself a bit of research, since Paruresis is the most frustrating thing I have ever known. I'm 18 and have been suffering for at least 5 years and its getting worse. I even had to put off going to uni this year because of fear of having to use shared toilets when other people around. I cant use a urinal when there's anyone else in the room or if anyone is entering and cant even use a cubical when theres other people I don't know around. Its seriously limiting my social life, since I cant go places with friends, and can't go to bars and clubs (being 18 thats pretty important to me) because I cant use the toilets when they have those 'attendants'. I've been trying to work around it myself slightly, by using urinals as often as possible, though this is usually only when the room is empty. I regularly try when others are around, but as other people come in my bladder has other ideas. The worst part of my problem is that I cant for the life of me work out why it affects me. Thanks for putting up this site, its great to see some good advice without having to buy books, and its a shame I live too far away from your workshops. Tom.

869