Posted by Ali on 19/8/2014, 7:34 pm

Hi all I thought I would post an update hopefully to inspire someone at the beginning of their journey in confronting their AP. I remember finding it hard to imagine conquering it. It felt like a physical incapability, how was that going to change? Well it has, and I have conquered it, so it can be done! Here's my story... I was unable to pee in public toilets with others around since I can remember - so at primary school. At secondary school I became more aware of it and would often come home desperate for the toilet having held it all day. I began to unconsciously find coping strategies at school involving safe toilets at off-peak times. It became more apparent as something that was inhibiting me when I started to go out drinking. Before, I had, again unconsciously, drank very little whilst out to avoid needing the loo. Now this was impossible and so began many episodes of sneaking out of pubs to pee round the corner, re-visiting the loo multiple times and generally having a distracted and often miserable time of it. I did not let it stop me going out but it used to get me very down and I realised I was spending more and more time on my own to avoid getting caught out whilst in a group. This continued into university until at some blessed moment I typed 'pee shy' into google. I read this site for over a year before finally taking the plunge and attending a workshop. It is a daunting thing to do, especially if like for me and many others it is going to be the first time you have opened your mouth to speak about this awkward, embarrassing problem. But these workshops are something special, as you can see from all the positive feedback. All are made to feel at ease and the mood changes incredibly quickly from feeling awkward, to recognising this is something you can beat. You then end up having a lot of fun (really!) doing just that in such a safe, supportive environment. Attending the workshop was one of the best decisions I have made in my life, an experience I can genuinely describe as life-changing. I went on a follow-up a couple of months later to maintain momentum but since, despite a couple of mini-wobbles it has been steady improvement. I am still not a 'quick starter' but I don't allow myself to feel rushed or put under pressure. I am confident enough to tell people 'I'm a bit pee shy' if it makes a situation easier for me. All this confidence came from techniques and mindsets learnt on the workshop. With time the positive experiences add up and up until they begin to tip the balance of the bad experiences. Freeing myself from AP has helped me achieve my goals in life and generally made me a lot happier. Like I say, it is very hard to imagine getting past AP when you are in its grips, and attending a workshop can feel daunting. You're not alone, you're not strange, and you're not beyond help! You are halfway there already having found the UKPT. I hope my story and all the others on the site can encourage you to take that leap of faith and begin your journey to conquering AP by signing up for a workshop. Finally from one AP sufferer to another, I wish you the very best of luck!

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