Posted by Joe Dunne on 24/7/2011, 8:04 pm

Hello, I just wanted to say that I've just discovered the UKPT website. I've lived with SBS for about 17 years now (i'd guess) and have only just realised that there is actual help out there! It's a lovely thing as, although I've always tried to be open and honest about it, I never knew that there were so many other people out there who'd suffered the condition as I have. I'm 30 now and, judging by what I've read on your website, I'm not a severe case. I just struggle to urinate when i'm in busy public places (nightclubs are hell). It's a really interesting condition in a psychological sense and i've spent lots of time wondering exactly what it is that happens as I approach the toilet that makes my bladder seize up and, perhaps more interestingly, why. It's an unfortunate result of the condition that it is a vicious cycle. The more bad experiences you have, so the psychological burden you feel as you make your way to a busy pub toilet increases. As I say, I'm quite open about it. I can really see the funny side and definitely don't give myself too hard a time about it. I talk about it with my wife, family (one of my brothers suffers, though not as bad as me and the other not at all) and my friends (one of whom suffers to the same extent as me). Interestingly, when I urinate in a public place with the friend, I find it much easier to go. I also have lots of tricks I try to use whilst trying to urinate (reading adverts in the toilet, talking to myself in my head etc), but to be honest, if it's busy in the toilet, I haven't a chance. Getting into a culbicle is the only option in such cases. The workshops look really good and I'd love to attend one at some point in the near future. Anyway, I just wanted to say how good it was to read your website. What a wonderful thing that there's so much support out there for us Paruresis sufferers! Once again many thanks and happy weeing!! Joe

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