Hypnosis for Paruresis: How Does it Work?

Although it’s difficult to accurately predict the numbers of individuals suffering from paruresis, it is known that at least seven percent – that’s 17 million people in the United States alone – admit to having this condition. In Canada, the numbers are estimated to be closer to nine percent of the total population. Paruresis, the inability to urinate in public places, causes a great deal of distress in the life of the paruretic. This condition affects more men than women, reportedly at a ratio of 9:1.

Paruresis originates in the mind but affects the body by inducing an anxiety response to urinating in public. Most individuals with paruresis can trace the instigating incident or incidents responsible for this disorder to adolescence, often as a result of teasing or bullying in a public restroom. Sexual abuse and traumatic toilet training may also be the cause, although to a lesser degree. Whatever the originating cause, it is a form of social anxiety and treatment must address the underlying cause for this condition.

Problems That Paruretics Live With Day to Day

For one, paruretics may have difficulty securing or keeping a job due to company-required drug tests. Many individuals opt not to tell employers about their paruresis because they are too embarrassed and fear the scrutiny of others. Additionally, those who do work often cannot urinate during the course of the day and suffer painful physical symptoms as a result.

Paruresis, also known as “shy bladder” or “bashful bladder,” is also an integral factor in breaking up personal relationships. Many paruretics avoid social events and choose to stay home instead of traveling unnecessarily in public. Because paruretics are often too embarrassed to tell anyone about their condition, their solitary lifestyles are easily misinterpreted by their significant others as being “unsociable.”

Without help, individuals with this condition may live in constant fear of being discovered. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of paruretics, the fear of judgment by others prevents them from seeking treatment. They condition their condition “embarrassing.”

Hypnosis as a Treatment for Paruresis

There are a variety of treatments available for the paruretic, and some individuals find that hypnosis provides relief. There are two ways to approach hypnosis: using self-hypnosis or with the assistance of a trained hypnotherapist.

Individuals may want to try self-hypnosis to begin with, especially if money is a factor in securing treatment. This approach is not as effective as working with a hypnotherapist, but many individuals discover that this method works in their favor. Self-hypnosis scripts are available in digital download as well as audio files. The goal is to “re-train” the paruretic’s mind to relax so that he or she can successfully urinate in public. By creating new neural pathways to the brain, self-hypnosis can “recreate” experiences for the paruresis sufferer. Some individuals use self-hypnosis in addition to seeing a trained hypnotherapist. Statistics vary, but the success rate for self-hypnosis, when used alone, is approximately 2-5%.

Many individuals, however, prefer to try hypnosis under the guidance of a trained hypnotherapist. Here’s how it works. Because having a shy bladder is a result of conditioning, the goal of hypnosis is to recondition the mind and create more positive experiences. Individuals who attend five or more sessions with a trained hypnotherapist may have success rates of up to 90%, according to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.

A trained hypnotherapist will get better results if he or she can determine the root of the problem. Using hypnosis, the therapist will work with the patient to find the precipitating incident – or incidents – that caused the disorder. Because bashful bladders are a learned response to a stressful incident, knowing the root cause is an important step in the healing process.

Think of your brain as a series of locked doors. Hypnosis is effective for many people because by using a series of steps, the hypnotherapist can unlock the doors (psychological barriers) that prevent the individual from urinating successfully in public. In other words, paruretics learned to associate pain with urinating in public; the role of the hypnotherapist is to reprogram the mind to feel pleasure instead.

Some individuals wonder if they have the ability to be hypnotized. In reality, everyone with a “normal” brain can experience it. The therapist guides the patient into a relaxed mind/body state in order to meditate on issues. Hypnosis is considered a “hyper-state of awareness” and is a very relaxing experience for most people. It is often referred to as the state in between being awake and being asleep.

Locating a Good Hypnotherapist

Paruretics have a higher than average success rate with hypnosis. The first step, however, is to find one that is qualified in your area. You can rely on local referrals or locate a therapist through a national organization, such as the ones listed below.

 American Society of Hypnosis is “the largest U.S. organization for health and mental health care professionals using clinical hypnosis.” This organization’s website also provides a member referral search to help individuals find a hypnotherapist in their area. You may also contact the American Society of Hypnosis by calling 630-980-4740.

National Board for Certified Hypnotherapists can also help you find a therapist in your area. Their website has a link to every state. By clicking on that link, you can find a qualified therapist to assist you. They also provide links to hypnotherapists in Canada, Great Britain and Europe, Asia/Pacific Rim, Central and South America, Middle East, and Africa. You may also call the National Board for Certified Hypnotherapists at 800-449-8144.

Because hypnosis is a very effective method for treating and curing paruresis, it is a preferred treatment for many paruretics. Unfortunately, most paruretics never talk about their conditions with anyone and do not seek the treatment they need; however, for those who use hypnosis to treat their bashful bladders, they have a good chance of eliminating their anxiety toward public urination and living a healthier, happier life.

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