U.K. PARURESIS TRUST

UK paruresis trust

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TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by Nigel on 10/7/2008, 9:11 am

Anyone see My Family last night? Guy says he cannot go when others are there as he has a shy bladder.
Good peak time viewing exposure but WHY DID THE GUY HAVE TO BE PORTRAYED AS SUCH A WHIMP?? Check it out on BBC iPlayer about 8 mins in.

We are not all total dipsticks and I dont't think it does our cause any favours if the media portays people with this affliction as such.

For my part I consider myself a successful businessman, chartered engineer, company director, flying instructor and father of 3. Most people would think I am super self confident and mentally strong. But I just can't ******* pee under pressure. I'm fed up with ducking and diving, making travel excuses and missing out on social events..... Arrrgh.

Sorry for the rant. Just feeling that way today and last nights TV whimp just got to me.

Re: TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by Lusy on 10/7/2008, 2:23 pm, in reply to "TV Last Night - My Family"

I see what you're saying - but *any* media portrayal is a good thing as it makes others realise that they're not alone.

Also, Joey from Friends has been shown as having the same trouble, and he's anything but a wimp :-)

Re: TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by Nigel on 10/7/2008, 4:03 pm, in reply to "Re: TV Last Night - My Family"

Sorry, I never watched friends. (is that a very bad admission?)You are right, of course that media exposure lets people know they are not alone which is very important. In fact I am only here because I turned on the car radio one day and heard the last few words of an item which mentioned "shy bladder". One Google click later and here I was amongst friends discovering that there are thousands of us out there.

I was looking at it from the the other way. I often imagine it would be easier if telling people was pretty matter of fact. If a stereotype of the AP sufferer has been established that shy bladder is a sign of terminal whimpishness it would make the telling all the more difficult.
If AP was portrayed as quite normal and not odd, perculiar or highly comical it would be better.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could tell a business colleague you need a bit of extra time in the gents because you have AP and it was like telling someone you had a cold and peoples response was "Oh really, I'm sorry to hear that I'll wait in the bar.". Obviously I'm just dreaming.......

Re: TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by Lusy on 14/7/2008, 11:52 am, in reply to "Re: TV Last Night - My Family"

Personally, I've never had a problem telling people.
Just saying "I have a bit of an issue when it comes to peeing if someone's there - is it ok if I meet you in the bar?" (or wherever) is easy to say :-)

Re: TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by adam on 20/7/2008, 1:00 pm, in reply to "Re: TV Last Night - My Family"

I know wat u mean. Ive told people about my problem going to the toilet around people and they either dont understand or just look at you strange because they dont ave this problem. It really gets to me

Re: TV Last Night - My Family

Posted by Colin on 28/7/2008, 7:40 pm, in reply to "Re: TV Last Night - My Family"

"Wouldn't it be nice if you could tell a business colleague you need a bit of extra time in the gents because you have AP..... Obviously I'm just dreaming....... " Well actually Nigel, often AP's who do tell their friends and colleagues find sympathy and understanding. Either that or they just say "Oh really.... and find it most uninteresting. It really is not the big deal to other people that we imagine it to be. This in itself can sometimes be aggravating - because you have built them finding out about your AP into such a serious issue, and then you find out that all along they just don't see it as so serious at all! And most certainly don't ridicule. There is a script on telling people on this website. Why not give it a go? Or enrol on a workshop where you can mix with other APs and at least get it off your chest to them.
The more you can see AP as normal behaviour, the easier it is to cope with. There are workshops in October - why not enrol now, and get this thing sorted!

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