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I am not sure when I started having this problem but it has probably been 12 years, it use to be really bad whereby I would avoid drinking much fluid so going to the toilet would be avoidable. But the truth is that it cannot be avoided.
Whilst the issue was still there I at least had acknowledged it. So over the last 5 years I have tried to tackle it. Firstly it was going to a cubicle and peeing, it took some time but in the end after much practice it became easier. But the urinals are where my fear always was. I am not sure why, I suspect maybe self confidence or maybe thinking too much about what people think of me. Over the last 6 months I have made the biggest strides and ones which I hope will lead me to conquer this horrible thing.
Recently I started a new job and the toilet consists of two urinals and one cubicle. By just relaxing and trying not to think about urinating I can go to the urinals and just get on with my business, and once the flow starts it does not matter if someone walks in or not.
I am still not ready to go into a crowded toilet and to urinate but I honestly believe that it can be achieved. I think an approach of "can do" rather than "this is a nightmare situation" is the best. I really want to conquer this problem and I believe I can.
Re: My Experience
Posted by Mike on 27/2/2012, 12:00 pm, in reply to "My Experience"
Hi Mathew
You could try going into a crowded toilet, not to pee but just to go in there, to give you that feeling of, "yes I belong here too" so you could go in there even though you don't need to pee, so they'll be no pressure. It helped me a lot - made my brain realise that I can go into the toilets and it's ok if nothing happens.
Make it ok not to pee - that usually takes enough pressure off to actually pee, because before you go in the toilets you remind your self that it's ok not to.
Mike
Re: My Experience
Posted by Mathew on 27/2/2012, 1:41 pm, in reply to "Re: My Experience"
Thats an excellent idea, I think that maybe the next big step for me as it will start to normalise the situation.
Just last week I was able to urinate in a basin as someone was using the stall, it felt great being able to do that, and I could not have done that about a year ago.