Paruresis is a type of social anxiety disorder, in which a person is unable to urinate in front of other people. This presence of people can be real (such as being in a public bathroom) or can be imaginary (such as being alone in a bathroom at your home). Paruresis is also known by another common name of Shy Bladder Syndrome. Other names for paruresis are: pee shy, shy kidney, and, bashful bladder. Paruresis goes way beyond a simple need for privacy, being shy, or being embarrassed. It is usually causes serious inconveniences in its sufferers. Paruresis is a psychological disorder but it manifests itself in a physical way. The sufferer is not in control of the situation and cannot just make himself or herself go urinate.

The feeling of paruresis has been described by sufferers as: having to urinate while on a road trip and seeing a sign that says "Next rest area 100 miles away." The only difference is that sufferers get this feeling while actually being inside a bathroom. Paruresis can develop in a person at any age, although it usually develops as a teenager. The severity of this condition varies from person to person but the basic results are the same. The severity of some sufferers may be so bad that they cannot travel far from their homes or may not even be able to go at home if they sense the presence of others.

Actual causes of this condition are currently unknown; although causes may be related to a past traumatic experience. Another cause of paruresis, that may be apparent, is the fear of having to produce urine. This is most apparent when urine drug testing is required by a workplace or a court order. Since August 1, 2005, The United Kingdom (UK) has recognized paruresis as a serious medical condition and, if documented, can be used a reasonable excuse from jury duty. It also gives a reasonable defense for a sufferer who must produce urine for a drug test.

There are two ways to treat paruresis. The first way is to treat the symptoms. This can be done by: avoiding large or busy public bathrooms, using stalls instead of urinals (for men), sitting to urinate, rather than standing (also for men), using running water or other distractions to block the sound of flowing urine, using the bathroom at home before leaving, urinary catheterization (the injection of a tube up the urethra [the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body] to drain the contents of the bladder [the pouch where urine is stored]), or drinking less fluids. This last way is not recommended because it can lead to dehydration (lack of enough water in the body).

The problem with symptom treatment is that it will not help the actual problem go away. The other form of treatment is to treat the actual paruresis itself. Treatments of this type include: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (psychotherapy used to treat mental disorders), Biofeedback (measuring a person's bodily processes to raise their awareness and conscious control of the related physiological issue), Graduated Exposure Therapy (gradually reducing the level of privacy a person has at the time of when the psychological issue occurs), and taking anti-anxiety medications that are prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist. If you or anyone you know experiences paruresis, please get professional help immediately, before it becomes a serious issue that affects your life. DO NOT be ashamed of your condition. Millions of people suffer from paruresis, but unfortunately are too ashamed to get the help they need.