Pee Shy or Pee Shyness
This term was used to describe the person suffering from pee shyness; ie paruresis!
Pee Fright
This term is occasionally used to describe paruresis. It refers to the fear that prevents urination.
Pee Phobia
This term is often sometimes used as an alternative name for shy bladder syndrome. It doesn’t accurately describe the condition as it is better suited to an alternative phobia.
Stage Fright
We mainly associate this with an actor forgetting his lines. Often as a result of a sudden anxiety at being the centre of attention with an entire audience focused on his or her performance. I can see the similarity to the irrational feelings of a paruretic. But it doesn’t describe the condition accurately. You will hear it referred to in this way from time to time. Perhaps people are simply trying to be kind and sympathetic in calling it stage fright?
Toilet Phobia
This is not quite the same. Toilet phobia is a fear of toilets and not necessarily a fear of urinating in the presence of others, You will hear it inaccurately used in relation to paruresis though.
Public Piss Syndrome
Well, it had to happen! One of the more “urban” different names of paruresis perhaps! You have to agree though – it does work :-).
Psychogenic Urinary Retention
Psychogenic urinary retention is a slightly different condition. That said, it does sometimes accurately describe paruresis. In this case the bladder does not empty at all or does not fully empty. Like Paruresis it too is due to a psychological issue. Whilst Paruresis would perhaps fall into this category the condition is really referring to a temporary issue. Often brought about during periods of excessive stress or in times of high emotional trauma.
Urophobia
Urophobia is a related but different phobia. It is actually the fear of urine or urinating. It stems from a Greek term meaning urine (uro) fear (phobia). This phobia describes a fear of urine itself or all things urine related. It differs therefore to paruresis which is a fear of passing urine when other people are around and being judged by them accordingly. Don’t get these names confused as they are very different fears.
The Different Names Of Paruresis
So, there you have it; one condition made incredibly complicated through the use of multiple names! And, this may not be an exhaustive list. Please let me know what I’ve missed or what you’ve heard the condition referred to (use the comment form below).
If you want to know more about whatever you decide to call this condition check out our Paruresis Frequently Asked Questions.
