Posted by Carol Olmert on 1/3/2014, 2:21 am, in reply to "Re: Beginners workshop feedback."
By way of introduction, I act as coordinator for the International Paruresis Association (IPA), the American version of the UK Paruresis Trust.
Andrew wrote to me about your experience at the workshop, and I concur with all the others who expressed their admiration for your courage in attending a workshop.
I am pleased to hear that you made good progress at the workshop. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to PRACTICE the gradual desensitization exercises you learned on a regular basis - not just when it might be "convenient" but rather in a systematic fashion by climbing each rung of your hierarchy in baby steps.
I suffered from a severe case of Shy Bladder for more than 40 years of my life. No health care professional seemed to know how to treat the condition, and I felt like I was the only person in the world who could not urinate in the presence of others.
Back in 1997, I discovered the predecessor to the IPA online and suddenly found myself in the company of others who understood - finally. I went on to take two IPA workshops, practiced regularly, and gradually recovered to the extent that paruresis no longer dominates my life.
I shared my experience as a female paruretic who recovered in a book I authored called "Bathrooms Make Me Nervous: A Guidebook for Women with Urination Anxiety (Shy Bladder)". My hope in writing it was to inspire and encourage other women to undertake or continue their quest for recovery from this debilitating condition. I include strategies for coping as well as detailed concrete exercises for full recovery. If you are interested in learning more, please go to my website at http://www.bathroomsmakemenervous.com
I am also the moderator for the IPA'S Women's Forum, which provides an opportunity for females to share stories, ask questions, and communicate with each other. In order to "subscribe", you have to first register as a user on the IPA's "Talk Forum" at http://www.paruresis.com Then, if you wish to register (free) to use the Women's Forum sub-section, send me your username (the name you have given yourself) care of olmert@aol.com. Please include a subject line, i.e., Women's Forum.
There's also a section on Women's Resources on the paruresis.com website that might be of interest to you and others.
May you continue to be motivated to advance further in your recovery,
Best,
Carol
986
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