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Guidance needed asap re. what type of medical specialist
Posted by jackie on 13/9/2016, 4:45 pm
Hi This is the first time I've posted for years, (some of you may remember me from a London Gathering a few months ago, not far from Kings Cross Station). I am hoping to get some sort of therapy funded by my medical insurance company (having tried hypnotism, didn't work; nor did desensitising in the presence of a "medical professional" - specially as they gave me a man!!!) Like many of you I am desperate to try something else. Practicing it on my own didn't work either. Tomorrow I have an appointment for which I have waited ages, with my (very nice female) GP who is willing to refer me to whichever specialist might be of some use. But my GP never heard of AP (I showed her the leaflet) so wonders to whom she should refer me? A psychologist? A psychiatrist? some CBT? All suggestions would be extremely welcomed, if at all possible by 09.30 tomorrow would be even more appreciated since I rushed into making the GP appointment but at the last moment only just thought to ask on the board for advice as to what type of "therapy" or whatever you call it, I should seek? any replies massively appreciated. If not on the board, those I met have my email addresses, the more recent one ends in @rocketmail.com [neither that nor hotmail end in co.uk by the way, for those who kindly asked.] I feel ashamed to have taken this long to write anything, but been running away from the problem now for well over 10 years. Burying my head in the sand as usual will just make my life a further misery so I thought I'd take the plunge and book to see my Dr. Many thanks in advance if anyone can help J.A
Re: Guidance needed asap re. what type of medical specialist
I suggest you ask to be referred to a clinical psychologist, preferably female. CBT is the prime approach because of the need to address both the anxiety that accompanies the experience of peeing, but also the cognitive side: i.e. to address the belief systems that are awry.
The cognitive therapy needs to address also feelings of shame, and possibly guilt: all the unhelpful negative emotions and beliefs about oneself that make life difficult, let alone peeing.
Hypnotherapy does not cure paruresis. However it could help with learning self-hypnosis to enable one to calm down negative and distracting thoughts. There is a technique of virtualisation whereby one learns to enter a self-defined calm place; this is helpful in life and also in toilets. A hypnotherapist may be able to teach you that. So this is an addition to CBT.
Another addition to CBT is neuro-linguistic programming. A practitioner may be helpful in unpicking things like the words and phrases used in one’s mind that trigger anxiety.
There may be a need to address issues of self-worth and of self-assertion. What do I mean by self-assertion? I remember being in a French motorway service station when a coach of French people rolled in. The female toilet was out of use. The women huddled together and then boldly, with no apology or embarrassment, went in the Mens to use the cubicles. They were asserting their needs.
You can get a feel for what these therapies are by having a look at the Dummy’s Guide series; there will be a book on each.
Note that each of these will probably need more that the 6 sessions available under the NHS.
Keep in touch
In Haste
Love
Andrew
Re: Guidance needed asap re. what type of medical specialist
ANDREW THANK YOU SO MUCH. HOW VERY KIND OF YOU TO REPLY FAST EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE YOURSELF IN HASTE. IT IS ENORMOUSLY APPRECIATED! I'LL LET OU KNOW HOW I GET ON. MANY MANY THANKS JACKIE
Re: Guidance needed asap re. what type of medical specialist
Would you perhaps be interested in being a volunteer for me ? I am trained in hypnosis, CBT and NLP all of which is utilised in my treatment plan that I am currently fine tuning by researching all the available methods and seeing which bits work the best and how to structure the best offering. I am offering my services for FREE for just 10 people. I'd love to help you.