What are the causes and symptoms of paruresis?
Paruretics (people who suffer from paruresis) commonly refer to three triggers that influence them when in public restrooms. For the typical paruretic, these triggers must be removed, or the person must try another toilet, for urination to occur on a particular occasion. First, the condition occurs much more frequently when strangers are present in the restroom as opposed to friends or relatives. Second, proximity plays a role in the problem. Proximity for the paruretic is both physical, involving the relative closeness of others in or near the restroom, and psychological, involving the need for privacy. The most frequent complaint about physical stimuli in public facilities is the absence of suitable partitions and doors on urinals or stalls. Third, temporary psychological states, especially anxiety, anger, and fear can interfere with urination. Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.
