title: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Paruresis or "Shy Bladder Syndrome": A Case Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paruresis, or "shy bladder syndrome", is a relatively common anxiety disorder, yet little is known about the causes of, and effective treatments for this disabling condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report describes a case study in which a man (Peter) presenting with paruresis was treated using formulation-driven CBT, which aimed to address the idiosyncratic processes that were maintaining his anxiety and avoidance of urinating in public.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peter attended 12 sessions of CBT including one follow-up session a month after treatment had ended. Treatment involved collaboratively developing an idiosyncratic case conceptualization (identifying longitudinal and cross-sectional factors involved in the development and maintenance of his difficulties), followed by a number of standard cognitive and behavioural interventions commonly used in evidence-based CBT protocols for other anxiety disorders. Peter completed sessional outcome measures of paruresis symptomatology, anxiety, depression, social anxiety and functional impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peter subjectively found the intervention helpful and his scores on all of the outcome measures reduced over the course of his therapy, and were maintained at one month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report adds to the scarce literature regarding effective treatments for individuals suffering with paruresis. Limitations of the design are acknowledged and ideas for further research in this area are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Talking Therapies Southwark,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust,UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hambrook
authors.affiliation: Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust,UK.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust,UK.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bream
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Paruresis; case report; cognitive behavioural therapy; shy bladder syndrome