Extreme anxiety about peeing with others near/watching

[surreal_platypus]

Not sure when this started, I think it might have started when I was young and got kinda bullied in the bathroom once and didn't stand up for myself.

Now I am ordered by the court to do random urine tests (where someone watches you pee in a mirror) and today was the first time I had to do it and was so filled with anxiety/fear over going in that I had a nightmare about it.. I made sure I had to pee really bad and went in and for the life of me I was struggling to do it, the guy had me go sit back down in the waiting room at least 3-4 times because I was unable to as I watched others going in and being done in seconds and going on about their day. I think it took me over a couple hours but I was eventually able to fill the cup about 1/3rd of the way after pleading with the Lord for help because if I didn't provide a urine sample it would be reported to the court and would probably end up going to jail because of it.

I have never been so humiliated in my life but I'm grateful I was able to provide enough and go on about my weekend. I stopped at a gas station and used an empty restroom on the way home to empty the rest of my bladder. It should be easier to do it the next time but I still have extreme anxiety about it.

Just thought I would share my experience, and wondering if anyone has dealt with something similar?

 

[Aldebaran]

Not sure when this started, I think it might have started when I was young and got kinda bullied in the bathroom once and didn't stand up for myself.

Now I am ordered by the court to do random urine tests (where someone watches you pee in a mirror) and today was the first time I had to do it and was so filled with anxiety/fear over going in that I had a nightmare about it.. I made sure I had to pee really bad and went in and for the life of me I was struggling to do it, the guy had me go sit back down in the waiting room at least 3-4 times because I was unable to as I watched others going in and being done in seconds and going on about their day. I think it took me over a couple hours but I was eventually able to fill the cup about 1/3rd of the way after pleading with the Lord for help because if I didn't provide a urine sample it would be reported to the court and would probably end up going to jail because of it.

I have never been so humiliated in my life but I'm grateful I was able to provide enough and go on about my weekend. I stopped at a gas station and used an empty restroom on the way home to empty the rest of my bladder. It should be easier to do it the next time but I still have extreme anxiety about it.

Just thought I would share my experience, and wondering if anyone has dealt with something similar?

If I'm in a public restroom by myself, I never have a problem. But if someone else walks in and occupies the urinal right next to me, I can't go at all. Same thing happens if they stand behind me waiting for me to finish, in which case I just give up and come back later. So whenever possible, I go into a stall where I can be by myself.

 

[returntosender]

Not sure when this started, I think it might have started when I was young and got kinda bullied in the bathroom once and didn't stand up for myself.
Goodness I would feel the same way. I could never take a dump with others around. It seems normal to me to feel that way.
Now I am ordered by the court to do random urine tests (where someone watches you pee in a mirror) and today was the first time I had to do it and was so filled with anxiety/fear over going in that I had a nightmare about it.. I made sure I had to pee really bad and went in and for the life of me I was struggling to do it, the guy had me go sit back down in the waiting room at least 3-4 times because I was unable to as I watched others going in and being done in seconds and going on about their day. I think it took me over a couple hours but I was eventually able to fill the cup about 1/3rd of the way after pleading with the Lord for help because if I didn't provide a urine sample it would be reported to the court and would probably end up going to jail because of it.

I have never been so humiliated in my life but I'm grateful I was able to provide enough and go on about my weekend. I stopped at a gas station and used an empty restroom on the way home to empty the rest of my bladder. It should be easier to do it the next time but I still have extreme anxiety about it.

Just thought I would share my experience, and wondering if anyone has dealt with something similar?

 

[Ceallaigh]

I've had the problem for years. I can do it sitting down in a stall, usually. But even that's difficult in a busy restroom. I'm afraid that someday I'll be asked to take a drug test by peeing in a cup. I know if I practiced enough in busy restrooms I'd probably get permanently desensitized. I tried that once at a casino. Just spent hours hanging around drinking water and soda pop and using the urinal. I got fairly successful at it. But I haven't maintained the "training".

 

[returntosender]

I don't understand, is this something that is occurring regularly? I have never been asked to do a drug test. Why do you have to do it in front people?

 

[Skye1300]

Wow I never even thought about that. My biggest worry was making it to a public rest room in time before an accident happens. LOL That and the germs in there and getting my hands washed properly. It never occurred to me to worry about someone hearing anything.
I had to take a drug test and get fingerprinted for the job I do in health care, but no one watched me go. Yikes. That sounds awful.

 

[returntosender]

I agree making it before an accident, lol

 

[Lost4words]

If I'm in a public restroom by myself, I never have a problem. But if someone else walks in and occupies the urinal right next to me, I can't go at all. Same thing happens if they stand behind me waiting for me to finish, in which case I just give up and come back later. So whenever possible, I go into a stall where I can be by myself.

Same

 

[DamianWarS]

Same

it's strange how anxieties can affect us. if you didn't say so I would have assumed you were the lift-your-leg-at-the-closest-tree type

 

[Ceallaigh]

Why do you have to do it in front people?

Because people who are actually on drugs cheat. They'll bring a squeeze bottle full of someone else's urine.

 

[Lost4words]

it's strange how anxieties can affect us. if you didn't say so I would have assumed you were the lift-your-leg-at-the-closest-tree type

I have to hide behind my very own tree! I hate communal bushes!!!

 

[Petros2015]

They are probably nervous/anxious too
Sing Amazing Grace loudly during these situations; it'll help everyone

 

[-Luca]

heya, this is a social anxiety problem AFIA. I struggle with social anxiety and have also had this toilet issue many times, even when I was still in high school! It's very embarrassing when in public. What helped me was to breathe and gain control in my mind, distract myself even and just focus on the sensation

 

[returntosender]

I guess the answer is always use a booth.