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Dataunit
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06 May 2018, 3:14 pm

I used to think I was the only one, but apparently this is really common: I get horribly nervous when using urinals. I'm ok if I'm alone in the room, or if the other guy(s) are standing at least a metre away from me. But when another guy comes right up and uses the urinal next to the one I'm on, I either can't start peeing or I stop mid-stream. I especially hate it when other guys try talking to me. Today, I was at it when another guy came in and loudly said my name, causing me to immediately stop even though there was more to come.

I read that this is a form of social anxiety ("pee shyness" or paruresis) and I've been googling for tips on how to tackle it. One tip was distraction and it does sort-of work. I count back from 100 in 7s and it does help (by 72, I've usually started), but not when other guys are trying to talk to me or using the urinal next to me. This is a problem as there's only 2 urinals and one stall at work and normally loads of guys wanting to use them at once, as we all have our break at the same time.

Any tips?


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Eurythmic
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07 May 2018, 2:33 am

"Stage fright" is quite common!
Not a lot you can do about it to calm your nerves, remember the bloke standing next to you is there to do exactly the same thing you are.
Something I do when trying to get "started" is to take a big breath and when I've breathed out about two thirds of the way let the feeling of movement in my diaphragm sink down to my groin which relaxes things down there and the urination just flows naturally from there.



nick007
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07 May 2018, 5:48 am

I have that problem occasionally. I don't really have any tips on how to deal with it except maybe getting on anxiety meds if you have anxiety with other things in life; I do & Buspar has helped my anxiety in general & helped with his problem a tad. If it makes you feel any better, keep in mind that this problem is common enough where someone made a song about it :arrow:


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Dataunit
Snowy Owl
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07 May 2018, 7:47 am

Eurythmic wrote:
"Stage fright" is quite common!

Something I do when trying to get "started" is to take a big breath and when I've breathed out about two thirds of the way let the feeling of movement in my diaphragm sink down to my groin which relaxes things down there and the urination just flows naturally from there.


Yes, I only noticed recently how common it is. I don't tend to notice what other people do unless I'm specifically watching (idk whether that's to do with my autism?) but I started looking to see whether there's any other obvious nervousness in the men's WC and I've seen a lot. Lots of guys either using the one available stall or leaving and coming back later when the room is quiet.

Thanks for the tip: I'll try the exhaling thing.


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Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
- Epicurus


The_Face_of_Boo
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07 May 2018, 10:24 am

I never use them, I use the toilet seats.. more private.


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