Paruresis

Overview :

Paruresis, also known as shy or bashful bladder, is the inability or difficulty to urinate in the presence of other people, when under time pressure, or on vehicles such as trains or airplanes. Urination is normal when those constraints or factors are absent, typically when in the bathroom at home. Research suggests up to 17 million Americans, 3.25 million Canadians, and 51 million Europeans suffer from the social anxiety disorder. Paruresis ranges in intensity from mild, in which the person can urinate in public facilities under certain circumstances, to severe, in which the person can only urinate when alone at home. The condition almost exclusively affects males although it can occur in females.

Paruresis can be socially disabling and can often completely take over a person's life. Examples include avoiding travel, social functions, and sports arenas. Just as serious are the psychological consequences, such as depression, and anxiety. Job choices and career decisions are often adversely affected. People with the condition often avoid jobs where there is mandatory drug testing done by the supervised collection of a urine sample.