Toilet Phobia

[darkeye]

Hi, i was just wondering if anyone else suffers from or experiences toilet phobia. I didn't realise it existed until the other day when i was searching symptoms- i thought that my fear of urinating or soiling myself in public and distress if not near a toilet where just a symptom of anxiety.
I didn't realise how many people it affected:
-
Social Phobia - commonly involving worries that people are aware of you using the toilet, people noticing you using the toilet or that people may hear you using the toilet
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) - involves factors such as worrying that the toilet is contaminated or being unable to use facilities that are deemed ‘unclean’.
Agoraphobia - worrying about leaving the house unless there is a ‘safe’ toilet that can be used combined with fears around soiling or urinating ones self if leaving a deemed ‘safe’ locality
Parcopresis - fear of defecating in public places
Paruresis - fear of urinating in public places
Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder - fear of being unable to use a toilet in a public place.
Specific Phobia - specific fear of a toilet or toilet related situation

I know it is an embarassing phobia for me anyway... I have never actually urinated or soiled myself before so i don't understand where my phobia has come from. But it has got the point where i won't leave the house or if i do i have to wear an incontinence pad, but even then i will only go within walking distance so i can get back to the toilet.

Does anyone else experiance this? This is taking over my life

[shrublet]

I definitely deal with the first issue! I go to great lengths to make sure people cannot hear me using the john. This can include turning the water on, turning the fan on... I am always grateful for those toilets with that specific curve that muffle all noise! It actually can get so bad that I will just not go to the toilet when people are over. It can lead to uncomfortable situations... 

involves factors such as worrying that the toilet is contaminated or being unable to use facilities that are deemed ‘unclean’.

And to a large extent, this is just common sense! But it sounds like that this is really affecting your life in a negative way. Have you sought help for it at all? Perhaps CBT would be appropriate in this situation.

[marc]

I do not think it is that unusual to not like going to the bathroom in public places,
especially those on a rest stop, etc. When I am out I try to go to some nice ones if
I have to, Nordstrom, for example.

[sophbear1560]

I have the specific phobia one, and i know it can feel like its ruining your life:\ you can read mine, see if we relate? God Bless, and good luck!

[gracey]

thank you dawn this was very helpful.  i have some of these phobias.  my husband has always flused the toilet while he is going to the bathroom except in our home.  when his brother came to visit i learned he did the same.

[anxiouskathie]

I don't have this phobia, but when using the toilet paper, I make sure and unwind a certain amount of toilet paper so as to NOT use any toilet paper other than what has touched MY hands, not any being unwound by others to be allowed to touch my "private" areas or of course always make sure my supply of hand wipes is replenished before using a public restroom to wipe with......

[KittyKxnt]

I have something called Shy bladder and Shy Bowel basically fear of using public restrooms or going to the toilet (even in my own home) within earshot of anyone. I've got alot better about my Shy Bladder but understandably still very concious of going for a ''number 2'' anywhere.
I hate staying over peoples houses, and can end up in pain where i've held my bladder or bowel so long (can be days- a week)
I don't know where its come from or why I'm like this but its something that as for myself and many of you affects me everyday.