Shy bladder syndrome: The reason you can’t urinate when others are close by

It is weird and uncomfortable having to urinate with others around, but for some people, the anxiety they have around this goes beyond discomfort. People with shy bladder syndrome, also known as paruresis, tend to be afraid to use the washroom when other people are close by. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of this condition.

Shy bladder

Paruresis, also described medically as Psychogenic Urinary Retention, has been recognized as a social anxiety disorder that affects both males and females, of all ages and backgrounds, according to the UK Paruresis Trust. An article on Health Line highlights some characteristics of people with shy bladder syndrome as:

[they]have a fear of urinating in a public restroom or around others, even at home. They may try to ‘make’ themselves use the restroom, but find that they can’t. Often, people with shy bladder will try to change their behaviours to avoid having to use a public restroom.

Symptoms

If you find yourself doing any of the following just to control where, when and how you urinate, you might have the condition:

• urinating as much as possible when at home
• drinking less fluid
• finding empty public bathrooms
• cutting back your social life so you don't have to use bathrooms away from home
• need to try certain tricks to help them pee, like thinking about running water or turning on the faucet to help them start the flow.

As with many other symptoms of various forms of social anxiety disorder, these signs of shy bladder range from mild to severe. The Cleveland Clinic website explains:

Most often, symptoms worsen over time. Some people may only be able to go when they’re at home by themselves. People with mild paruresis may only be able to go in certain situations.

Sources used:

American Urological Association: What is Paruresis?

Cleveland Clinic: Shy Bladder Syndrome (Paruresis)

Healthline: Shy Bladder Syndrome (Paruresis)

UK Paruresis Trust: What is Paruresis?