Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The inability to urinate in the presence of others

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The idea behind this study was that invasion of personal space underlies paruresis — the closer another person is in proximity, the more trouble the pee-shy individual will have urinating.

    Boing Boing 2009

  • In fact, the researchers were trying to gain a better understanding of paruresis, otherwise known as “shy bladder syndrome” (or “pee-shy,” “bashful bladder” and a variety of other monikers).

    Boing Boing 2009

  • Work, said "it's surprising" how often those with paruresis -- a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to uriniate in the presence of others or when others are close by -

    ABC News: Top Stories 2011

  • Work, said "it's surprising" how often those with paruresis -- a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to uriniate in the presence of others or when others are close by -

    ABC News: Top Stories 2011

  • Considered a specific phobia by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), treatments are available, but individuals who struggle with paruresis may not elect to seek help due to the shame or misunderstanding that accompany the condition.

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • Children who may be battling paruresis may have no idea how common it is, or what they can do about it, and it can do incredible damage by restricting almost all areas of life.

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • Rich Presta's program for treating paruresis and additional resources for parents of children facing the condition, or anyone struggling with paruresis, can found on the Paruresis

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • Children who may be battling paruresis may have no idea how common it is, or what they can do about it, and it can do incredible damage by restricting almost all areas of life.

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • Severe paruresis in school aged children can also lead to complete school refusal by the child, as well as more pervasive anxiety that can spread into other areas of life, such as social anxiety or even panic attacks.

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • Severe paruresis in school aged children can also lead to complete school refusal by the child, as well as more pervasive anxiety that can spread into other areas of life, such as social anxiety or even panic attacks.

    WebWire | Recent Headlines 2010

  • But while boys and men are more likely to develop “paruresis,” the D.S.M.-recognized medical term for pee-shyness — theorized by some to stem, in part, from the pressure of standing next to each other at open urinals — it is women who are more likely to have “parcopresis,” the corresponding bowel movement anxiety, which is not in the D.S.M., according to a variety of fecal scholars.

    Women Poop. Sometimes At Work. Get Over It. By 2019

Comments

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  • "The problem you are describing is called paruresis or bashful bladder syndrome."

    Guide to Getting It On, 183

    April 12, 2008