While the jury in the medical community is still out on how to treat paruresis, the fact is that the disorder does exist. Paruretics are people who have a phobia of urinating in places where there are other people around. At first, this doesn’t seem like an issue, but when you think about how often you have to use the restroom at a store, on an airplane, or at a restaurant, you can see how this phobia can be debilitating. If you struggle with paruresis or know someone who does, catheters might be a way to slowly overcome your fear.
Catheters, as you probably know, are a way to manually drain the bladder by means of a long, thin tube. While most people probably think of catheters as implanted and hooked up to a bag, this doesn’t have to be the case. Some catheters can be used for intermittent self catheterization, which will drain the bladder straight into the toilet, and which can be used in public restrooms with a bit of practice.
As a paruretic, you may be able to find a doctor or urology nurse who will teach you to use catheters, and you can buy them for yourself at a medical supply store or an online medical supply store. Be aware, though, that you shouldn’t use catheters as a crutch. Eventually, you will need to learn to deal with your fear, partially because you need to be able to do it without help and partially because the constant use of catheters creates other physical problems.
Some paruretics who use catheters find that simply having one on hand in case of an emergency is enough to make going to the restroom in a public place easier because it lessens the fear and anxiety. Over time, though, other techniques like support groups and therapy should be used as a complement.
Tags: catheters