HOMEOPATHY FOR SHY BLADDER SYNDROME
Dr. KS. Gopi
Former Professor, Govt. Homeopathic medical college, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Shy bladder syndrome , also known as paruresis, is a condition where a person is afraid to use the bathroom when others are nearby. As a result, they experience significant anxiety when they have to use the restroom in public places.
A person with shy bladder syndrome finds it difficult or impossible to urinate when other people are around. It is believed to be a common type of social phobia, ranking second only to the fear of public speaking. Shy bladder syndrome is often first experienced at school. The condition affects men and women of all races. In mild cases , shy bladder syndrome is an occasional event, like a form of performance anxiety. For example, a man at a public urinal may find that he is unable to urinate when flanked by other men. In severe cases, a person with shy bladder syndrome can only urinate when alone at home. The condition is also known as ‘ avoidant paruresis’ , ‘ psychogenic urinary retention’ and ‘pee phobia’.
Causes
Shy bladder syndrome is not a physical condition because nothing is wrong with the person’s urinary tract. The urinary sphincter must be relaxed for urine to flow from the bladder down the urethra. Anxiety about urinating overstimulates the person’s nervous system and ‘clamps’ the sphincter shut. Failure to urinate heightens the person’s anxiety, particularly if the bladder is uncomfortably full.
Other factors include:
· Environmental factors, such as a history of being teased, harassed, or embarrassed by others in relation to using the restroom.
· Genetic predisposition to anxiety.
· Physiological factors, including a history of medical conditions that may affect the ability to urinate.
Although doctors consider shy bladder a social phobia, it’s not a mental illness.
Symptoms
A person with shy bladder syndrome typically has a sensitive, shy, conscientious personality and is fearful of being judged or criticized by others. Shy bladder syndrome can be mild, moderate or severe.
Signs and symptoms of severe shy bladder syndrome can include:
· The need for complete privacy when going to the toilet.
· Fear of other people hearing the urine hit the toilet water.
· Fear of other people smelling the urine.
· Negative self-talk while trying to urinate, for example, I can’t do it. I’m never going to pee. I’m such an idiot.
· Inability to urinate in public toilets or at other people’s homes.
· Inability to urinate at home when guests are present.
· Inability to urinate at home if someone is waiting outside the toilet.
· Feeling anxious about needing to go to the toilet.
· Restricting drinks to reduce the need for urination.
· Avoiding travel and social events.
· Always looking for restrooms that are empty or only have one toilet.
· Going home over lunch breaks or other breaks to urinate and then returning to an activity.
· Trying to use the restroom frequently at home so they won’t have to in public.
· Experiencing feeling of anxiety at the thought of or when trying to use a public restroom, such as fast heart rate, sweating, shaking, and even fainting.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When Shy bladder syndrome is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.
AMBRA GRISEA: Dread of people and desire to be alone. Dwells upon unpleasant things. Melancholy, sits for days weeping. Music causes weeping. Intensely shy, blushes easily. Cannot do anything in presence of others. Cannot pass urine in presence of others. Pain bladder and rectum at the same time. Feeling in urethra as if a few drops passed out. Burning and itching in urethra while urinating.
NATRUM MURIATICUM: Depressed and introverted. Dwells on past unpleasant memories. Fear of being rejected or hurt emotionally. Wants to be alone to cry. Cannot cry in front of others. Irritable. Consolation aggravates. Has difficulties in urinating in front of others. Must wait before the urine will start.
HEPAR SULPHUR: Oversnsitive physically and mentally, Slightest cause irritates him. Unreasonably anxious. Hypochondriacal. Peevish. Quick, hasty speech and hasty drinking. Difficuties in passing urine in front of others. Flow impeded, voided slowly, without force, drops vertically. Obliged to wait awhile before urine passes.
MURIATIC ACID: Introverted person. Sad and taciturn. Suffers in silence. Irritable and peevish. Great restlessness. Loud moaning. Urine passes slowly, must wait a long time before urine will pass or has to press so hard that anus protrudes.