title: [Psychological treatment for paruresis (bashful bladder)].
abstract: Paruresis, or bashful bladder, is a functional disorder that involves inability to urinate in the presence of others. The symptom meets the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for simple phobia or social phobia. Although the prevalence of paruresis is relatively high (7% in 1 study and 32% in another), there are few reports of its treatment. The treatment of choice presented in the literature is cognitive-behavioral. We describe a multidimensional model used in treating 3 men who suffered from paruresis. Promotion of relaxation, mental imagery, paradox, gestalt, metaphor, cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic techniques were used. After 5 treatment meetings, 2 younger men, 18- and 24-years old, respectively, were able to overcome the condition, while a 50-year-old got only partial relief.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elitzur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*