Are you desperately sitting in a public toilet with your ears closed and then forced to hold your pee until you get home? Can't pee in a public toilet? Or not even at work or with friends? You probably suffer from pee anxiety.
How often does pee anxiety occur?
A little consolation, you're not alone. About 7 percent of people suffer from paruresis. A condition better known as pee anxiety. 10 percent of people are left-handed, just to show how much 7 percent actually is. It is known that 58 percent of people have a fear of peeing at school. It is hereditary in 14 percent.
Different forms of pee anxiety
Little research has been done on urinary anxiety, simply because it is difficult to measure. It is clear that there are different forms. Some just take a little longer to pee in a public toilet, others can't even go to the toilet in their own house when there are visitors.
What can you do against pee anxiety?
If your fear of peeing doesn't bother you, you don't need to take any action. It may even diminish with age. If you do suffer from it, you can have a referral from your GP. Pee anxiety is a social fear, which in many cases can be resolved with therapy. The Paruresis Association explains a breathing technique that could benefit you.
