U.K. PARURESIS TRUST: Re: Having trouble with mindset and gradual exposure

This is why i see it as a hiearchy plan David.

The 10 hiearchies of challenge are:

1. Proximity
2. Being heard
3. Hearing others
4. If using a cubicle it depends if the door is locked, shut, ajar, or open
5. In the line of sight of someone else
6. Sitting or standing
7. Nature of the person i.e friend, colleague, stranger, aquaintance
8. Level of urgency
9. Surrounding activity i.e quiet, some people, busy
10. Time pressure

You can begin and continue these challenges in a private cubicle if necessary.

If you enter a bathroom you know has 5 urinals you know that no's 1,2,3,5,7,& 9 can apply. Proximity will be closer if other men are there or come in after you and this means you could be heard and hear others.
Amongst these men could be someone you know which may increase your anxiety levels.
If the bathroom is busy the noise of men coming and going can be distracting and you are more likely to come into someone's line of sight. Line of sight can also depend on the design of the bathroom i.e if you have to stand sideways and men have to walk past you to stand along side you somewhere.
If you enter a bathroom that has 20 urinals your hiearchy of challenge could be the same or it could increase if the bathroom gets busier and the same hieararchies apply. If the bathroom is quiet then of course your proximity could be a bigger distance, you won't be heard, and your anxiety level won't be as high.
If you are using a bathroom for cubicle use and there are just 3 cubicles your hiearchy level could be higher than if there are 10 cubicles. This is because the other cubicles are more likely to be engaged if there's just 3 so no's 1,2,4, and 9 can apply. If there are 10 cubicles the proximity is less likely to be either side of you so men won't be able to hear you and your surrounding activity will be quieter.
If you want to use a cubicle as a urinal with big privacy screens then you can try urinating with the door unlocked, ajar, or open. If you have the door open the hiearchy will be at it's highest because you will have anxiety as to what men are thinking of you not using a urinal. If the door is unlocked or ajar the hiearchy of challenge is that no-one will know your'e in there so may enter the cubicle thinking it is vacant thus increasing your level of anxiety.