Overcoming Shy Bladder

Posted on February 1, 2011

If you suffer from shy bladder syndrome, it can be a really awkward situation. If you are out of your home and need to empty your bladder, your shy bladder won’t co-operate. The thought of other people being around when you need to urinate – whether those people are actually there or could just possibly, maybe, be there – stops you in your tracks. Remember that everyone suffers from a shy bladder (or paruresis) occasionally. It’s just another form of stage fright. But some people are more afflicted than others.

At its most extreme, shy bladder syndrome means that you are incapable of going to the toilet outside the perceived safety of your own home. It’s even worse when the company you work for has a policy of random drug testing that includes taking a urine sample. How do you persuade the person conducting the test that your problem is real rather than induced by a fear of getting caught for taking drugs?

Some simple ways to overcome the problem of shy bladder

1. Drink less fluid. This is an easy one, but it may also lead to dehydration, so be careful with it.

2. Avoid large or busy public restrooms, and if necessary, using the stall instead of a urinal may help.

3. Address the problem using cognitive behavior therapy.

4. Persuade your doctor to prescribe anti-anxiety medication.

5. Attend a workshop to specifically address your problem.

6. Use a hypnosis session to gradually change your mind’s fears and worries.

Visit The Paruresis Treatment Center for more useful information.

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Ending Panic Attacks

Posted on January 1, 2011

Panic attacks are not out of the ordinary. Some people experience panic attacks all the time, living their lives avoiding situations that frighten them, in a lot of cases irrationally. With the basic advice listed below, you can learn to alleviate a panic attack in only a few minutes.

What Is A Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a condition of adrenaline being released into your bloodstream. A message of fear sends a signal to the adrenal glands that there is an emergency situation. Adrenaline, when released into your system, gives you heightened capability to cope with emergency situations. This emergency response gives you physical symptoms that a lot of people misdiagnose as a heart attack or other dangerous physical condition. Misinterpreting these symptoms can cause the fear response to linger.

How Does Adrenaline Work?

Adrenaline makes the heart pump extra blood. This extra blood is pumped into your major muscles to increase your ability to run fast and to increase the strength in your arms. Extra blood also goes into your brain to give you heightened abilities to respond to the emergency. It takes about three minutes from the time your brain sends the emergency signal until your body is fully pumped with adrenaline, causing extra blood to go into your brain, legs, and arms. In those three minutes you experience your heart pumping hard and extra blood coursing throughout your body. As long as your adrenal glands keep getting an emergency message, they continue to create and release additional adrenaline. Once your brain ceases the emergency signal, your adrenal glands keep the adrenaline instead of releasing it.

It Only Takes A Few Minutes To Stop A Panic Attack

It takes about three minutes for your adrenal glands to fill your body with the adrenaline response. It also only takes three minutes for your body to stop the adrenaline reaction. If you stop a panic attack as soon as it starts, the reaction only has to last for three minutes. Stopping a panic attack is very easy. All you have to do is prevent the emergency message from being sent to your adrenal glands. Learn the following four basic steps and your panic attack will only last for three minutes. Once you understand the process, you never have to have a panic attack again.

Four Steps

If panic attacks happen frequently, write these four basic steps on an index card or something about that size and put it in your wallet or purse. Make the card noticeable so it’s easy to find in the event you have an attack. Also, consider memorizing the contents of the card, as it will make it easier for you if you find yourself in a bad situation.

1. Be still and relax.
2. Stop the negative thoughts.
3. Think of positive statements.
4. Accept your situation.

Step 1. Be still and relax.

Relax by taking slow, deep, complete breaths. Be still and calm yourself by remembering that you are only having a panic attack, that nothing more serious is happening to you. Continue to take slow, deep, complete breaths. This type of breathing will help bring peace to your being, which is the first step to reversing the release of adrenaline.

Step 2. Stop the negative thoughts.

Stop negative thoughts by shouting the single word “STOP!!!” loudly inside your head. By doing this you are interrupting the emergency message that your brain is transmitting to your adrenal glands. People who have a panic attack often get into an neverending loop repeating the same damaging thoughts ad naseum in their head. Interrupting this endless loop gives you the opportunity to change the frightening message with a calming one.

Step 3. Think of positive statements.

Try to think of a positive statement that is at least as strong as the damaging statement that you have been scaring yourself with. Change the negative thought with a positive one. Choose a statement that addresses the negative thought. For example, if you are under the impression that you are having a heart attack (a common fear during a panic attack) then you could say something in your head like, “Oh my God, I’m having a heart attack” or, “I’m gonna die, oh my God, I’m gonna die!” After you shout the word “STOP!” immediately replace the damaging thought with a positive statement that helps you to cope with the situation, such as “I’m only having a panic attack and it will be over in three minutes if I relax” or, “My fear is making my heart pound harder, my heart is fine.” Brainstorm the kinds of fearful thoughts that bring on panic for you and then make a long list of positive statements that you can look at when you need to rather than trying to think of these statements in the middle of a panic attack.

Step 4. Accept your situation.

Accepting your condition is extremely important. Minimizing this experience usually serves to perpetuate it. Begin with asking yourself what emotion you are feeling. Most panic attacks are created by fear or some variation of fear. Recognize the emotion you are feeling and determine the reason that you feel it. Validate that feeling and why you are feeling it. If you are having a panic attack before reciting a speech, you are probably afraid because it’s a scary situation. Stage fright is a common cause of fear and panic. If you hear footsteps behind you on a dark night and they make you fearful it’s reasonable to be afraid that something could happen to you.

In all of these cases take the appropriate precautions. Have a regular check up so that you know that you have a healthy heart. Walk in a well-lit area and be cognizant of your surroundings on the street. Walk with confidence and not like a victim. These are all important steps you can take to ensure your safety. Then, when you utilize a positive statement that reminds you that you had a check up recently and that your heart is fine, you can reassure yourself that it’s okay to be somewhat fearful, knowing that you are safe.

Fear is a positive emotion that helps you to take care of yourself. Listen to your feelings, take good care of yourself, and always try to keep your emotions in proportion to the situation at hand by keeping an appropriate perspective.

For more information, visit Panic Attack Treatments

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