How many different names does one condition need? In this feature I’m going to look at all the different names of paruresis shy bladder syndrome and cut through the confusion for you! I think you’ll be surprised at just how many different names there are!
Paruresis is the official, recognised medical term for this form of social anxiety disorder. Ans when there’s an official name theres always an alternative common name or nickname. But this condition is different … it has more than 10!
Whatever you decide to call the condition one thing’s for sure … it CAN be cured. It may not be instant and may take commitment but it IS treatable. Lets face it, if I can do it anyone can!
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Here goes with the list … and there may be more!
This is the official name for the condition. It was first used by Williams and Degenhart (1954) in the report entitled; “Paruresis: a survey of a disorder of micturition”. This was published in the Journal of General Psychology 51:19-29. This was the first time the name had been used.
Paruresis derives from a Latin term meaning simply “abnormal urination”. Anyone who suffers from the condition is known as a Paruretic (abnormal urinator).
Because the nature of the condition means that a paruretic has difficulty in urinating when in the real or imaginary presence of others (a public restroom for example) it is natural that they have a tendency to start avoiding such situations. This is where the term avoidant paruresis comes from. It’s exactly the same condition but refers to the resulting avoidance of the difficult, uncomfortable or embarrassing situations.
Shy bladder syndrome is the “official” nickname of the condition officially called paruresis. This is the name I prefer. There’s no difference at all – it’s exactly the same social anxiety disorder but with a more informal title that describes the symptoms very well. The bladder is basically too shy to release a flow of when others are around. We do however know that it’s not really the bladder that’s at fault – it’s all in the mind (but that’s another article)!
And now we come to all the other names …
This one is simple; it’s just an abbreviation of shy bladder syndrome. There’s absolutely no difference whatsoever. It’s by far the most common lay term for paruresis that you will hear.
The word “bashful” is simply an alternative for the word “shy”. For some reason somebody decided that shy bladder syndrome was better termed bashful bladder syndrome. This was then shortened to simple bashful bladder.
It was then thought that the kidneys were more of the problem than the bladder. So the name bashful kidneys was coined. This one didn’t really catch on although you may hear it used from time to time.
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This term was used to describe the person suffering from pee shyness; ie paruresis!
This term is occasionally used to describe paruresis. It refers to the fear that prevents urination.
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.
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?
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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