Afraid To Pee In Public?

Shy Bladder In The Spotlight

You Are NOT Alone!

Does the thought of trying to use a public restroom cause dread? Do you feel like everyone is watching and listening while you are trying to pee? You are not alone, in fact its estimated that 23-33 MILLION people in the United States suffer from this condition. Many suffer to such a degree that it destroys their personal and professional activities.Reach out today to find help and discover a supportive group of people that also understand what you are experiencing.


This website is NOT a substitute for medical or legal advice and does not constitute the practice of law, medicine, psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical social work, or any other mental health profession. If you are having trouble urinating, you should always contact a physician since difficulty with voiding can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. We are a group of people who have suffered with paruresis. On this website, we are NOT practicing medicine, psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical social work or any other mental health profession. You should have your doctor evaluate your condition before diagnosing yourself, and seek the appropriate necessary mental health counseling if warranted. CTShyBladder.com disclaims any and all legal liability whatsoever.

Do I Have A Shy Bladder?

  • You feel like you are "in the spotlight" or "everyone is watching"

  • You plan your days and trips around safe restrooms

  • You avoid social invites with friends due to fear of "not being able to pee”

  • You avoid drinking liquids and completely void your bladder before leaving your home

  • You make excuses to avoid being away from a safe restroom for too long

Do you relate to any of these statements? If so, you may be one of the many people struggling with paruresis, also known as "shy bladder". You are NOT alone – research suggests that up to 10% of the population is affected by this condition, causing them to miss out on personal and professional opportunities. Unfortunately, most of these people never seek treatment and end up living a life far below their potential. But the good news is that there is hope for a better future. With the right help and support, you can overcome paruresis and live a more fulfilling life.

About CT Shy Bladder

Welcome to Connecticut Shy Bladder! We are a volunteer support group resource for paruresis recovery. Here you can learn more about the condition, connect with a supportive community, and access the resources and graduated exposure activities to help you manage your condition. Our goal is to provide people with access to effective support to start and maintain treatment for their paruresis/shy bladder.If you're a media outlet looking to learn more about paruresis/shy bladder, please visit our media page HERE. We are always open to feedback and suggestions. If you have any comments or suggestions, please use our contact form HERE.We thank you for visiting and look forward to helping you on your journey to managing your condition.

Support Groups

Support groups are the most effective and empowering way to treat paruresis (aka “Shy Bladder”). By joining a support group, you can find solace and camaraderie with individuals who share similar experiences. These support groups create an environment that fosters desensitization to the debilitating thoughts and extreme reactions that can accompany paruresis.Attendees of support groups across the United States and many countries around the world can attest to the relief and tremendous results that come with regularly attending and practicing graduated exposure techniques. Outings are organized to provide socialization opportunities, while also giving you the chance to overcome the fear of activities you may have once avoided. Here, you can begin your journey to living a more fulfilling life in a secure and supportive atmosphere.Take the first step towards reclaiming your life and join a support group today!

Frequently Asked Questions

CAUTION! People can often mistake prostate or other urinary conditions that cause difficulty urinating with paruresis. Always make sure to consult with a healthcare professional, prior to starting any desensitization practice, to rule out actual medical issues that could prevent normal urination.

We generally field a wide range of questions and criticisms via website inquiries. Our goal with this FAQ section is to help you find answers to common questions and learn more about this website and its function. We have summarized the most commonly asked questions here (and add additional as they arise).We hope you find value in these answers and as always if you don't find what you need or want further details, feel free to send your question via our contact form.


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> About CTShyBladder.com

Why was this site started?Connecticut Shy Bladder was started by a long time recovering paruretic that wants to ensure people of Connecticut (and the general public) have access to connect with fellow sufferers. The entire goal of this site is to let people know somebody is listening and understands.Do you provide medical advice?No. Support group leaders are generally not licensed practitioners or mental health professionals. We have resources and connections though to well established and reputable medical and mental health professionals (that have specialization in the area of phobias and paruresis) that can help you. Please send an inquiry, to our contact form, requesting assistance and we will happily forward that inquiry to the appropriate people.Do you keep communications private?We abide by strict confidentiality rules and will never sell or share your information with any outside entities.Occasionally support group leaders move, or step down and are replaced. In this scenario, any contacts collected will be notified of the changes and given the option to either continue with the new group leader/s or to opt out and have their data erased.

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> Support Group Questions

I'm terrified to connect with a group leader or to attend a support group meeting! Is it a safe and welcoming environment?Support groups always welcome new people regardless of their level of anxiety. Support group leaders will ensure that you are provided appropriate graduated exposure details, practice scenario setup, and clearly communicate how best to improve.You don't even have to start at a support group meeting. Send a message via the contact form and we can arrange a private phone call to discuss any worries and concerns. Recovery and practice happens at whatever pace you are comfortable with.How many people are in a support group?Generally support group meetings/outings will vary from 2-8 participants. Most times newer members will get individual attention from the group leader to ensure they are provided optimal opportunity to start off on a positive experience.How often do groups meet?Every group is unique in terms of the group meeting schedule and intensity of practice. Generally we plan practice at least 1x/month to help strengthen any progress made. Additional sessions, or advanced practice, may occasionally be scheduled to coincide with a sporting event, expo, etc. Additional information will be shared about those as the opportunities arise.Does it cost anything to attend?Support groups are completely free to attend and there is zero profit incentive involved (i.e. no attendee dues, products sold, etc.). The sole and primary goal is paruresis recovery and building positive supportive relationships among group members.The only expenses incurred would be directly related to attending a particular practice venue, like needing to purchase tickets to a game/concert in order to access the public restroom facilities inside the venue.Do women have paruresis? Can they attend?Women are definitely impacted by paruresis and suffer the same problems as men in terms of life and professional limitations.If you are a woman and suffering from paruresis, please still don't hesitate to reach out via our contact form. There are excellent resources via the International Paruresis Association to help women with this issue and we will happily put you in contact with them.

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Media Inquiries

Are you a journalist, writer, YouTuber, or podcaster? Do you want to shine a light on a condition that severely impacts 300,000 people in Connecticut alone and hundreds of millions of people around the globe? Connect with us via the form below and we'd be glad to provide more in-depth details about the condition, facts about sufferers, and most importantly options for people wishing to seek recovery paths.

Contact

The first step of any recovery journey is often the most difficult: seeking help. But you don't have to do it alone. There are supportive groups and people who are going through the same pain and can provide you with the support you need. Submitting this form could be the start of the most freeing and impactful journey you've ever undertaken.Don't let paruresis control your life - take action today and start your journey to recovery.

Form Submission Successful!

We have received your inquiry. As it is 100% volunteer that monitor these submissions, please allow at least 3-5 days for a response.Congratulations on taking the first huge step in starting your recovery! The journey ahead will bring new insights and hopefully allow you to start breaking free from the limitations of paruresis.

Form Submission Successful!

Thank you for helping spread the word and covering this condition. Your work and coverage may very well help hundreds or thousands of people find effective treatment options that will allow them to live life free from this insidious and destructive phobia.We really appreciate your support!As it is 100% volunteer monitoring of these submissions and inquiries, please allow at least 3-5 days for a response.