fear of not having a bathroom nearby

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2005
fear of not having a bathroom nearby
4
Wed, 09-20-2006 - 10:21pm

Alright to most people this will really sound odd. For the past 8-10 years, I have been covering a secret. I have been limiting the amount of fluid that I drink. For instance, throughout highschool and college, I would not allow myself to drink anything until school was over. Or in college only if I had a few hours (2-3 hrs) between classes. This often times, left me trying to consume tons of drinks enough so I wasn't dehydrated in the evenings.

There were even days, when I had a lot of stuff going on that I would take my first drink of anything until 8 or 9 at night. Not healthy. Some of the problem is that I fear that I will have to use the restroom and there won't be a bathroom nearby. This has began to effect me when I travel b/c I don't drink until I arrive to a destination no matter if I am flying or driving. This has an effect on my life. I get nervous about going on field trips- I teach. What if I have to go pee while I am on the bus, or while we are taking a tour of something. I know this isn't normal.

My mom doesn't even know about this. Though she has questioned how I can eat meals without getting anythign to drink. I also told her I just didn't get thirsty. Does anyone have suggestions. I am finally tired of this and want to lead a normal life. I do not worry as much though when I am situation where I know I can use the bathroom freely like home, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 10:12am
I know what you're talking about. I often limit what I drink when I'm not at home, but for me, it's because I am scared of germs and public bathrooms being dirty. I've talked about this issue a lot in therapy, but I'm still not over this phobia. Lately, I'm just so tired of worrying about it, that I've just started telling myself this is a basic part of daily life, and I can't avoid it. So, I go and just try to deal with the phobia. It's been ok so far, although there are times when I am more anxious than others. For your fear, I would give you the same advice that I try to tell myself: this is a basic part of daily life, and think about what everyone else in the world does regarding this. Everyone else I know uses public bathrooms, and nothing happens to them. Same goes for you: everyone else in the world drinks normally whenever they want, and they have never had an accident, they always have found a bathroom when they needed it, and you will too. I say just take baby steps and see how it goes. Don't gulp bottles and bottles, but drink as you normally would, and I bet you'll find it will be ok. :-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 12:12pm

Hello & welcome! It's nice to see you;) Many of us suffer from irrational fears/phobias. You are NOT alone. From what you have described, your fear is interfering with your normal life. When things get that bad, it's time to take action. Research has shown that meds in combination with therapy can be effective. Have you seen your dr? It's always a good idea to get a check-up. Most of us

 

 


 



Community Leader
Registered: 10-22-2001
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 2:10pm

My ds doesn't like using public washrooms too much either.
He would go to school, hold it and limit his drinking until he got home.
When he was younger around grade 5 his teacher said he couldn't go to the bathroom.
With my permission I told him if you have to go, leave the room and go.
It was causing him so much stress because his anxiety sometimes made him feel like he needed to go NOW, whether he did or not was irrelevant.
I talked to his school, the principal and his teacher and said if he asks to go please don't refuse him. He honestly has to go and I have told him he can either with or without your permission.
It was creating a real problem for him attending school, he was afraid he would not make it to the bathroom in time.
The last thing he needed was THAT.
I would check out where the bathrooms are located so you can familiarize yourself.
If you don't want to overload on the drinking sipping might help.
You just don't want to deprive your body of needed fluids.
We use to make sure he was aware of where washroom facilities were located and it seemed to have helped him be less anxious.
It is not only anxiety/panic sufferers who have this problem.
So you aren't ALONE, trust me alot of ppl are in the same boat.
Hopefully this has helped you.
I was amazed at my son's teacher.
She just assumed he was fooling around, and was very embarassed when I went and spoke to both the principal and her.
After that he just went and it took alot of the ANXIETY away just knowing she wasn't going to say anything to him anymore.
He would put up his hand and usually she made them write their name on the board because only one student at a time was allowed to go, but after this the rules changed for the better.
It made him feel less anxious and alot more at ease going to school and being in her classroom after that.
That year he won an award. He was very proud of that, it was presented by his principal.

Nightangel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 09-21-2006 - 7:04pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann