How to Practice Exposure Therapy for Paruresis

How to Practice Exposure Therapy for Paruresis Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Therapy Print How to Practice Exposure Therapy for Paruresis By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 11, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 18, 2019 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Joey Boylan / Getty Images Paruresis is  also known as shy bladder. This condition refers to fear and avoidance of using public restrooms. It is related to social anxiety disorder (SAD) in that it is a type of performance phobia that is specific to using public restrooms. Signs of Paruresis Paruresis can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of paruresis include the following: Needing complete privacy when using a restroomFear that other people will hear you when using the restroomComplete inability to use toilets other than at homeFeeling anxious about needing to use a toiletNot drinking so that you wont have to use the restroomAvoiding events because of the need to use the public restroomNegative thoughts about yourself when using the restroom Impact of Paruresis In a survey conducted with 63 patients affiliated with the International Paruresis Association (IPA), it was  shown  that paruresis had been a problem for an average of a couple of decades for patients. It had also significantly affected their lives, such that one third avoided  parties, sporting events, and dating, while half were limited in their choice of job. In terms of social anxiety in general, patients were more likely to say that they experienced problems in performance rather than social interaction settings. Treatment of Paruresis The most common treatment for paruresis is graduated exposure therapy. Data collected by the IPA  indicates that 80% of people receiving this form of treatment show improvement.   Graduated exposure therapy involves gradually using restrooms in increasingly difficult circumstances and is usually performed under the supervision of a trained behavioral therapist. However, if you have a willing partner, there are steps you can take to attempt graduated exposure on your own. Before starting exposure therapy, have a doctor rule out medical causes. You will need the following:   A trusted friend or relative to help you with exposuresAt least one hour twice per week to practicePaper and pen to write out a hierarchyAccess to locations to practice exposures If paruresis is just one of many social fears that affect you, exposure therapy alone is unlikely to improve the broad scope of your anxiety. Meet with a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the best course of action for your social anxiety. Steps to Overcoming Paruresis On Your Own 1. Enlist the help of a trusted friend or relative. This person will be present during early exposures to mimic the situations that you would experience in public. If you are unable to find a partner, it is possible to follow the steps by utilizing naturally occurring public locations. 2. Learn whether urgency to urinate makes it more or less difficult for you to perform. If having to urinate urgently makes the process easier, be sure to drink lots of fluids prior to each exposure session. If the need becomes very urgent and you are still unable to urinate, consult a doctor or urologist. 3. Construct a behavioral hierarchy scale. Make a list of locations or situations in which you find it difficult to use restrooms. For each item on the list, assign it a value from 0 to 10, with 0 being very easy (e.g., your home) and 10 being the most difficult (e.g., a busy public restroom). 4. Begin with an item rated 0, such as urinating at home while a guest is present. Have your partner remain in your home in another room while you attempt to urinate. If possible, allow urine to flow for 3 seconds before stopping. Do not spend more than 4 minutes trying to urinate. If it is not working, take a short break and try again. Sometimes moving back a step in your hierarchy can also help. 5. Meet your partner for a 3-minute break. 6. Once again, attempt to urinate. Do not use coping strategies such as running a faucet or trying not to make noise. This will only extend the time needed for exposure as you will later need to learn how to perform without coping techniques. 7. Continue in this fashion, alternating exposures and breaks for up to an hour. 8. If the session has been successful, move on to the next easiest item on your hierarchy and practice this exposure in your next session. Have a goal of working on exposures at least twice per weekâ€"several times per week being even better. 9. After 8 to 12 sessions, you should find your ability to urinate freely greatly improved. Completing 15 to 20 sessions is the ideal goal. If all of the above sounds too daunting or too much to start with, consider joining a paruresis support group. There you will meet other people who are struggling with the same problems and who will be able to give you support as you work on overcoming this difficulty. A  Word From Verywell If you continue to struggle with this problem, consider consulting a psychologist for treatment. Methods of treatment other than graduated exposure may be helpful, such as relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The Best Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder