It may not often be talked about, but toilet anxiety is very common. So much so, it’s become my speciality.
I help clients from all over the world overcome it using hypnotherapy, as treatment can be given by Zoom, from the comfort of home.
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What is Toilet Anxiety?
Toilet anxiety is the fear that if you need the toilet, it will be difficult to find one in time. This fear makes the need to go more urgent, and creates a cycle of anxiety.
In my experience, the reasons are usually quite specific – such as being stuck in traffic… or on a train… or in a meeting… and not being able to get to a toilet. Or worrying that when you get to the toilet, there will be a long queue. Or worse, it will be out of order.
Everyone can relate to these fears, but for people with toilet anxiety, they stop life being fun. Toilet anxiety sufferers often need to use the loo 5-6 times right before they leave the house.
They avoid eating or drinking before going out, and worry excessively about where the available next toilet will be.
This is a typical toilet anxiety sufferer’s journey to work:
Toilet Anxiety vs Toilet Phobia
Toilet anxiety is different to toilet phobias like shy bladder syndrome (Paruresis) and shy bowel (Parcopresis).
Both conditions can cause anxiety about needing to go to the toilet and social embarrassment, of course, and both can be very debilitating.
A person with toilet phobia will have anxiety about pooping or urinating in a public restroom if someone else is around, or will fear the embarrassment or health consequences of using public loos.
A person with toilet anxiety is more worried about actually getting to a working toilet in time, and they fear the embarrassment of not making it.
It might sound like a small distinction, but I’ve found over the years that toilet / bathroom anxiety is usually rooted in fear of loss of control, whereas toilet phobia is usually more to do with fear of sickness or criticism.
I can help both, of course, but my speciality is toilet anxiety.
What Causes It?
Like agoraphobia, toilet anxiety often starts as a minor worry. But this can soon become a source of more anxiety as it keeps nagging away, creating a vicious cycle of physical & emotional distress, until eventually it has a devastating impact on your ability to socialise, study or work.
Toilet anxiety sufferers eventually get to the point where they stop going out socially to things like restaurants or the cinema, and stop travelling on public transport like trains or coaches, even though they know toilets are available.
In my experience, most clients have a story to tell about how or where it started.
For some, it was primary school… maybe they had (or witnessed) a toilet accident in class.
But it can start at any age, and isn’t always about actually wetting or soiling yourself. Even the experience of having to hold on for an extended period of time can be enough to start the fear.
I’ve heard stories about drinking too much and being unable to get off the bus. Being stuck on a crowded train between stations. Being stuck next to a stranger on a flight and not being able to get out of the seat. Or being caught in a long queue for the toilet at a festival.
Food poisoning on holiday is another common starting point for toilet anxiety. IBS suffers are also prone to toilet anxiety because the increased stress creates a vicious cycle that makes their urgency for the toilet even greater.
Some clients also have toilet dreams (or ‘nightmares’) leading up to a trip or important event where their worst case scenarios play out.
How Hypnotherapy For Toilet Anxiety Works
The thing is, like all fears and anxious thoughts, they aren’t necessarily true or helpful.
Just because you can picture yourself having an accident, embarrassing yourself or living your worst case scenario, doesn’t mean it will happen. Most people have similar thoughts from time to time, but these are quickly dismissed because they know they can simply hold on until they can reach a toilet.
So toilet anxiety is essentially an issue of confidence – it’s a lack of belief and confidence in your body’s ability to deal with the situation when it arises.
With toilet anxiety hypnotherapy, I am able to deliver suggestions directly to the subconscious part of your mind. Once your subconscious mind takes on that suggestion, the beliefs change, the behaviours fall in line, and confidence returns.
There may be numerous situations that trigger your toilet anxiety, but I’ve found from experience that we normally only have to tackle a few of them before your subconscious gets the message.
At that point, the fear collapses and all the anxiety disappears.
Permanent improvement can generally be achieved in 4-6 sessions, so you no longer need to waste your precious energy living with the anxiety and problems that toilet anxiety brings.
Get Treatment From The Comfort Of Home
Whatever your story, the longer you leave toilet anxiety, the worse it often gets. Your world starts closing in as you gradually stop doing the things you used to enjoy.
“I know it sounds crazy, but anxiety about needing the toilet destroyed my confidence. Toilet anxiety was ruining my life”…
Toilet anxiety can stop you going to restaurants, getting a haircut, travelling on public transport, driving a car in case you get stuck… until eventually, the only place that feels safe is home.
I know because I’ve seen it with my clients so many times over the years.
Let me help you take back control. Together we will rebuild your trust in your body, stop the intrusive thoughts, relax your mind, build confidence and help you get back your life.
And best of all, your sessions can be via Zoom, so you can choose to stay in the comfort of home, even if you are near my hypnotherapy practice in Gravesend!
Ready to Get Started?
Treatment typically takes 5-6 sessions. These can be booked individually, or you can save with a 5 session package.
or contact me by email to make a booking offline
Got a question about toilet anxiety? Ask me below!
This article has given me so much hope! I’ve struggled with toilet anxiety for 3 years and it’s just been getting worse, so I finally decided it was time to see if it’s a common problem. I was shocked how closely your article described exactly how I feel mostly of the time. I’m so happy I found you.