Bladder issues and anxiety - please help

[Needinghelp1]

Whatever this is is just ruining my life.

I have quite severe anxiety problems and now a bladder problem.

I get the urge to go to the loo for a wee and I just have to go. It's at inopportune moments when I'm in a conversation with someone or at a meeting at work and I'm then filled with terror at the prospect of wetting myself.

It's so embarrassing and has taken hold of my life. I am off work at the moment from the job I love and can't see me going back.

It's ruining my social life and just life in general.

I can't see this resolving. I have tried to battle through as I have done before with anxiety but it's just not working.

Very slight leakage has occurred in these 'attacks'.

Any message of hope for a cure or advice would be so much appreciated.

I have had a scan of my bladder and although I don't have the results yet the person conducting it said she saw no cause for concern.

I can't go on like this.

Absolutely yes, the physical urge is so strong, that's what makes it so hard to dismiss (though I guess it's the same if you're having a 'classic' panic attack and think you're having a heart attack, it's your brain fooling you). I too considered nappies, even for my wedding day (that's sexy isn't it. Oh the shame). But in the end I got through everything, and so did you - it didn't actually happen, did it? Perhaps tell you friends about the anxiety, even if not in what form? Worrying that you are being rude or what other people thinkg makes it even worse I find.

Thing is, after you have been to the loo, you know that it is all in your head because there's nothing left there, so that makes it easier to manage maybe? Though i know it takes a while to get to that stage. I really sympathise, you sound like me when it first struck, about 5 years ago, I was so bad, so miserable. Have you asked about CBT? That will give you some coping mechanisms.

You sound so lovely. I know how sexy! DH is in despair saying "I'm not getting you adult nappies!".

I'm glad you said the urge is physical as that makes me feel like this IS anxiety.

Yes CBT is on the cards

Boite I think as I have so much to think about and remember I don't have time to focus on the urge iyswim? For me it's definitely an anxiety issue rather than bladder capacity etc.

Portly - are you much better now?

Yes definitely although I'm still very conscious of making sure I use a bathroom before I leave the house.

That's interesting - I agree it's definitely better if you are concentrating on something else, and I expect you have a lot to concentrate on in nursing! Work is still my worst area for the problems, meetings are a real pressure point and often they're so boring my mind has plenty of opportunity to wander (and stress!). It's totally an anxiety issue - often I won't drink for an hour or so before a meeting, and go to the loo just before, it makes no difference. My mind and body is telling me I need to go, now! And then you get to the loo and there's a tiny trickle you have to force out... grr!