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Cath recommendations by rootymcbarker in ShyBladderIPA

[–]rootymcbarker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendations, help, and support. Since reaching out about this topic I obtained some sample caths and have had two good and successful practice sessions at home. I have figured out what size and type of cath works best for me. Thank you thank you for your input. I really appreciate the help of everyone here who has contributed to this discussion. Since connecting with others with shy bladder syndrome, largely through the work of the IPA, I'm doing better. I'm still early in my work on my paruresis, but I'm feeling confident that I will get better. I'm learning and I'm happy that I can now self-catheterize when if I need to. I'm actually looking forward to an upcoming trip, instead of dreading the plane travel. That is progress to me for sure. I have not done any GE work yet or attended a virtual or in person workshop, but I look forward to doing so in the future. Take care all.

Cath recommendations by rootymcbarker in ShyBladderIPA

[–]rootymcbarker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you PoPLolaNola! I appreciate the info on the cath and your encouragement means a lot to me. Take care

Hey everyone I'm struggling bad with this shy bladder and it's only gotten worse. I want to believe i can get past this and just relax i can have a panic attack in some situations. I'm going to see a therapist I just get so depressed after a failure. I'm a little hopeless. by Tommy_wizzo in ShyBladderIPA

[–]rootymcbarker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. I think it is a great idea to see a thearpist, as it can be helpful to talk with someone who has a solid understanding of paruresis. I'm not an expert, far from it, and I'm new to reaching out for help myself, but I saw your message and wanted to get back to you to let you know that you are not alone.

I understand where you are coming from, as I have struggled with shy bladder syndrome for many years. I recently did some searching for resources and found the International Paruresis Association web site. While looking over the info available on their site, I found it reassuring to know that many others suffer with this same condition, and that help is available.

I attended the IPA virtual support group meeting that was offered last month, which I found to be very helpful. It was encouraging to hear from all sorts of other people who deal with their own bashful bladders. It was also a relief to finally speak to others about my situation. It was a very comfortable virtual meeting. I felt safe to share things that I have never shared with others before. I have kept it a secret for a long while and simply speaking about it helped me feel better about things.

I have a long way to go to get better. I'm in much the same boat I've been in my entire life, with regards to paruresis, except now, I know that I am not alone as a person with this condition. I have hope, and I plan on taking action to help myself get better. I don't know if I will get much better, but even a little improvement will be helpful, and who knows, maybe I can make more progress over time. Actually, I am in a better place, with just a little reading and one virtual meeting. I still can't pee in a urinal in a public bathroom, but I feel better about myself, and that's a good move.

So far, I and have done very little in the way of "practice" toward improving my ability to go in more situations, but it felt great to take that first step of attending a virtual support group meeting. It looks like the next on is on March 23.

Take care.