About the IPA’s Shy Bladder Center
The Shy Bladder Center (SBC) is a project of the International Paruresis Association (IPA) established to provide resources for individual treatment and psychosocial educational groups for people suffering from avoidant paruresis or shy bladder syndrome. For a full list of SBC members, their photos, and links to videos and contact information, click here.
On this paruresis.org site, you will also find information about SBC member-led workshops and support groups offered across the globe. Attending a workshop is one of the best ways to begin your recovery from this very treatable social anxiety disorder. Ongoing practice with a local support group can also begin or continue your recovery.
Other than the SBC list of professionals, if you are looking for a therapist more local to your area, we recommend looking for someone well-versed in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is effective in treating paruresis. The best resources for locating a CBT therapist in your area are to go to either the Anxiety Disorders Association of America’s website (www.adaa.org), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies website (www.abct.org), or the National Social Anxiety Center (nationalsocialanxietycenter.com).
If you have any questions about the SBC, please call, write or send an email to getinfo@paruresis.org.
The IPA
Our organization is the leading international resource for people who find it difficult or impossible to urinate in the presence of others, either in their own home or in public facilities, for people who have difficulty under the stress of time pressure, when being observed, when others are close by or when traveling on moving vehicles.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Recent studies show that about seven percent of the public suffer from some form of this social anxiety disorder called Avoidant Paruresis. Often referred to as Pee-Shy, Shy-Bladder, Bashful Bladder, Stage Freight and Bashful Kidneys, avoidant paruresis is a treatable condition and you have made an important first step in your recovery simply by coming to this website. Learn more here.
QUICK LINKS
INTERNATIONAL PARURESIS ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 21237
Catonsville, MD 21228
You Are Not Alone.
There Is Help For You!
Shy Bladder, Bashful Bladder, Pee Shy
IPA OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
10:00am - 6:00pm (ET)
844-I-CANT-PEE (422-6873)
US/Canada
443-315-5250 Office
Email: getinfo@paruresis.org
This website is NOT a substitute for medical or legal advice and does not constitute the practice of law, medicine, psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical social work, or any other mental health profession. If you are having trouble urinating, you should always contact a physician since difficulty with voiding can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. We are a group of professional people and people who have suffered with paruresis. We have assembled a board and a board of advisors to help people cope with urinary dysfunction that has a psychological or social origin. On this website, we are NOT practicing medicine, psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical social work or any other mental health profession. You should have your doctor evaluate your condition before diagnosing yourself, and seek the appropriate necessary mental health counseling if warranted. IPA, Inc. disclaims any and all legal liability whatsoever.
