Posted by DaveA on 13/1/2010, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Question On Item 23"
Good point. I had a female cleaning lady come in and stand at the sinks staring at us standing at the urinals, waiting for us to finish.
Ultimately, every visit to a restroom is an opportunity for desensitization.
Awareness of your surroundings while NOT resisting your anxiety...learning that yes, you CAN experience anxiety and it won't kill you, desensitizes you to your anxiety triggers. That's my theory.
As a recovery strategy I like to review my options when I lock up, and continue standing there during my review. I find it settling and beneficial to my desensitization efforts.
1. I could let her know that she's locking me up and I guarantee that I can stand there longer than she can. Be polite but assertive, it's a public restroom and I'm there to use it. I have a right to use it.
2. I could transition to a stall where I could either whiz or "live forever" without her eyes on me.
3. I could do both. Request that she leave so I can whiz, and use a stall to lower my anxiety.
I think I posted the story on my talk forum http://Paruretic.Org
it was a while ago and I'm not sure how the story ended.
My recollection is that I transitioned to a stall and whizzed without saying anything to her.308
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