This Discussion Board is for men who
find it difficult or impossible to urinate in a public or social situation. Women should use the women's Board.
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OMG! I thought I was the only person with this condition
Posted by Wayne Beeston on 22/4/2008, 9:53 pm
Hello all I have just found this site...tonight (Tuesday 22nd April) I was watching a program on tv called “embarrassing illnesses, there was a guy on there that was discussing this symptom to the Dr, I was in total disbelief, I was convinced I was the only person in the world with this condition...I reached for my laptop and found this trust...thank goodness.
If I cast my mind back to do recall being fine in junior, and early high school days, the condition started to come over me when I was about 14/15 old and I still have it now at 37.
I have quite a severe case e.g., if I was out drinking with friends I would find it impossible to urinate in the pub toilet, there is no way I can do it even if it is empty...it is just knowing and hearing the activity outside the toilet that stops me. I have tried to use the urinal when the toilets are empty, but as soon has I here somebody come in I have to leave without passing water.
The only way I can pass water is by going into the cubical and making sure the door is LOCKED! If it is not locked then I can sometimes but not always pass water. I am exactly the same when I am at home or friends.
This is an awful condition to suffer from, I am only more happy now I have found people with the same problem.
Thanks for reading folks
Wayne B
Re: OMG! I thought I was the only person with this condition
Hey mate. I can very much relate to what you're going through. I'm in my 20's now, and have had this problem since about high school (around 12). I had no problems with using urinals or anything up until then. From then on, I've used strategies such as 'holding it in' and using bathroom stalls until I found a safe spot (such as home, or any place I knew had a single toilet). I now attend university and have no access to any 'safe spots' for at least 9 hours. So far I've only been using cubicles at times I know that the amount of people present is low (midway during lecture times usually). Even still, anything I hear outside the cubicle will stunt the process, making it longer for anything to pass (making it just as bad as using a urinal!) Although I'm only 20, and still have a life ahead of me, I feel this condition has stripped me of any social life I've had thus far. Most of the times I try my best to avoid anything that requires me to go places I'm not sure of (such as sports events, or even the pubs which I miss to pieces!). It's not until tonight I've discovered the magnitude of people who have this problem, and it's gives me a sense of relief to know I'm not alone. In saying that, I would in no way wish this condition upon anyone. I've kept it a secret from my friends and family for this long, and although I'm sure they'd be supportive, I'm unsure if they'd understand and give the ol' "get over it" or "it's a phase that will pass" speech. It's a great relief talking to others who understand, and gives me a little extra confidence in being able to overcome this once and for all.
Thanks for sharing your story Wayne!
AitchSeeJee
Re: OMG! I thought I was the only person with this condition
Luckily you have found the UKPT website and now know you are not alone! Everyone who posts on this discussion board has the same condition, so understands what you are going through. Take some time to study the advice on the website, and try to formulate a plan for recovery. If possible, attend a workshop which will help you bring all this good advice together. But whatever you do, keep reading and posting to the discussion board so you stay focussed. You are among friends now. Colin
Re: OMG! I thought I was the only person with this condition
Wayne: You have my utmost sympathy but, to avoid repeating myself, please read my message and its replies posted on this site on 8/2/2008 under the title "Release at last". Don't let this condition spoil you life in the way that mine has been spoiled. You are still young, you have been fortunate enough to find this site, you know now that you are not alone and you know that help is available. You may be interested to know that I have now booked myself into a Workshop in May and that's something you might like to consider yourself eventually. Best of luck to you, Pete.
