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Shy Bladder Syndrome, Paruresis Hypnotherapy Can Help 

According to the International Paruresis Association, more than 20 million, seven percent of the US population struggle to relieve themselves every morning. 
 
Paruresis, or shy bladder syndrome, occurs when an individual’s process of using the bathroom causes great worry or inconvenience. This inconvenience is compounded by the number of times each day that human bladders need to be drained. The psychological implications of a shy bladder are far reaching and unavoidable. Men, specifically, are constantly faced with communal restroom experiences that require exposure and visible inspection of whether or not they succeed in going.  
 
Some men’s rest rooms, offer a shy bladder sufferer a difficult challenge. 
 
Collective urinal troughs grossly ignore the personal nature of urination, blocking many individuals from being able to enjoy large gatherings, spend time with friends or family, or even travel. 
 
Absent of medical conditions, there are numerous psychological factors that can contribute to a shy bladder and treatment strategies. If you are looking to find relief from a shy bladder, you may consider one of the following treatment strategies as part of your journey on the path to healing. 
 
Hypnotherapy 
 
man suffering with shy bladder
Micturition is a normal physiological function. 
This normal function can change with anxiety, a moderate increase in stress hormones can increase micturition rates. However, if there is a perceived threat related to bladder activity the body can learn to retain urine; this change then becomes a conditioned response, as Ivan Pavlov proved by changing the laboratory dogs salivation response to a trigger other than food. Most sufferers will explain, they can urinate when they are relaxed, this changes if there are others around, they then become tense and find it difficult to relieve themselves. Being anxious automatically changes the way the body responds. Creating deep states of physical and mental relaxation are the primary objectives of the hypnotherapeutic interventions. This approach can be extremely effective when applied to bladder shyness.  
Reconnecting the unconscious mind, which caries the responsibility for bodily functions to a relaxed state, permits the natural process of urination to return to its normal function. 
 
Clients who experience hypnotherapy from a registered practitioner will improve their ability to access deep physical and mental states of relaxation and gain confidence in their ability to change their experience in real everyday time.  
 
Accessing relaxation in the bathroom can make the difference between a successful trip, and a frustrating, if not uncomfortable holding of urine. 
hypnotherapist working with shy bladder
woman finds relief with hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy Exposure Therapy 
Behaviour modification through exposure therapy follows a controlled progression of increasingly stressful events, whilst practising the skills gained from the hypnotherapy sessions, eventually leading to the desired behaviour.  
 
Throughout this process, clients calibrate their level of comfort to identify specific triggers, as well as to maximise the therapeutic benefit of the process, whilst applying the skills gained from the hypnotherapy appointments. Clients would not be sent into situations that produce unreasonable distress. 
 
Exposure therapy adopts the mentality that some anxiety regarding the experience is acceptable and to be expected. Learning to be more comfortable and to manage that anxiety is the goal. 
hypnotherapy helped this man
EMDR Plus incorporating, Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT, CBT, NLP 
EMDR Plus, includes Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping. An excellent strategy for working through mental blocks such as bladder shyness. EFT taps into the body’s natural energy meridians to release cognitive blocks and reduce emotional distress. 
 
Through a series of light tapping on specific points, coupled with listening to the anxieties of the unconscious mind, tapping removes the negative emotional charge that may be getting in the way of bathroom relief. Once learned, tapping can be used anywhere, and can offer a way to defuse anxiety related to the bathroom before it can even begin. You can learn more about EMDR Plus HERE. 
Bladder shyness is anxiety producing and can be debilitating. Modern public restrooms do not appropriately accommodate the needs of individuals who are seeking natural relief. If you have ever had to change your plans, leave early, or cancel travel arrangements due to bladder shyness, consider reaching out for help. The relief you desire is possible, contact James for an initial consultation HERE 
Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy Within EMDR Plus. 
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for bladder shyness targets self-beliefs and attitudes towards bathrooms as well as the experience of using the bathroom. Thoughts are important and often driven by core beliefs. The language being provided when preparing for or attempting to use the bathroom can profoundly change our attitude towards the whole experience. 
 
Are you fixating on negative past experiences or are you offering yourself examples of success? 
 
Are your thoughts judgmental and extreme, e.g: 
“I should be able to go!” 
“I am always going to freeze up!” 
"I wonder if I will be able to go?" 
 
If so, working with a registered therapist, challenging negative core beliefs, putting our thoughts on trial, and creating adaptive cognitive “performance” cues may be impactful. 
 
james golding shy bladder therapist
 
hypnotherapist working with a client who suffers from shy bladder
Trauma Related Hypnotherapy  
Looking below the surface of a shy bladder response may reveal emotionally charged events from the past. These events can relate to past experiences of privacy, such as being barged in on while using the bathroom, past related trauma, or other events that have triggered the body’s fear response. Trauma-informed hypnotherapy works to acknowledge and reprocess difficult events of the past that may be influencing current experiences. If a trauma is bathroom-related, whether direct or ambiguous, the daily act of urination can re-trigger unconsciously related physiological responses. If this is the case, reprocessing the activating event to develop a more supportive perception can be of benefit. 
If you are suffering with Paruresis, life has taught you to practise being uncomfortable for some while. I can help you to start practising being more comfortable on your first appointment. For an initial consultation please follow this link. 

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