Q:  Are there other disorders that may be present with paruresis that I need to know about?

A: Some with paruresis have reported other problems that seem to “go with it.” But it’s important to realize that paruresis does not appear to be caused by any one thing. If a particular problem seems to be preventing your ability to recover, then get treatment for it. We have a number of members with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), some with panic attacks or other forms of anxiety in situations outside the restroom, and some with a history of dependency on legal or illegal drugs. While these kinds of disorders may contribute to, or reinforce a person’s paruresis, it is wrong to assume that having paruresis means you are obsessive-compulsive, a drug addict, etc.

Some men have reported chronic prostatitis; both men and women have reported interstitial cystitis, and a few people have reported stones in the kidney, bladder, gall bladder, or salivary glands. There is some evidence to suggest that chronic or acute prostatitis in men may be related to excessive tension in the pelvic floor muscles, as well as infection risk from infrequent urination and/or concentrated urine. The same may be true for interstitial cystitis. Stones can be the result of limiting fluid intake in order to reduce the need to urinate. Once beginning a treatment program, people with paruresis should drink plenty of fluids and use restrooms more, not less often. This will improve overall health and reduce the risk of stones and other urinary tract problems.