I help people with shy bladder Syndrome and urinary problems. You may even have shy bladder sometimes, but not others, and you’re not sure why that is happening.
As a clinical naturopath (ANAP) I always investigate to see if there are any physical causes. It’s important to be thorough and look at the whole clinical picture.
If it turns out to be psychological then as a clinical hypnotherapist (AHA), psychotherapist (PACFA) and mental health professional I will treat you with hypnosis.
In certain cases, you may even get healthfund rebates.
What is shy bladder?
It is the inability to urinate at a time that is needed. This may occur in private or when using public lavatories.
In some people, it has a psychological cause which means they are unable to urinate when going out and using public facilities. Your mind does not allow you to void urine, so it’s a phobia.
For others, it may have a physical cause. You may have weak pelvic floor muscles because they were stretched when you gave birth, you’re unfit, or you have had an injury, surgery or disease. Inflammation or disease may be causing constriction of the urinary tract and urethra which then causes lymphedema and pain.
The body also changes with age. As a young child, you just urinated naturally without thinking about it. With age or infirmity, you may need different muscles brought into play so you can get control over urination.
Is this condition common?
Yes, it is much more common than you would think but in general, it’s just never talked about, because you may be too embarrassed.
You may even be too shy to mention it to your family doctor. When people do mention it to GPs often, they dismiss it and just tell you to relax. This does not generally help.
Again, urologists can be unsure how to treat the condition when there seems to be no physical cause.
There can be a danger here because when urine is not voided it keeps toxins. It also put stress on your kidneys and bladder, at times causing pain.
You may even spend lots of time in the toilet unable to void the urine and other people banging on the door wanting to get in there.
How to help you physically
I always like people to be checked out by their GP to begin with to make there are no urinary passage obstruction. Blockages can be a sign of disease.
Also constantly using diuretics can have side effects so we have to be careful to explore none medication options.
The body is mechanical as well as biochemical. I was trained in physical therapist many years ago to help you move fluids around your body.
I will teach you to move the urine mechanism along the urinary tract and what muscles and pressures you need to activate to make that happen. You will have exercises to do at home in your own time daily
Hypnotherapy can help
When the shy bladder problem is psychological hypnosis can help rearrange your mind, so urinating becomes comfortable and natural again.
As much as you may have tried consciously to overcome the problem it became too hard. Fortunately, hypnosis reaches deep into your unconscious mind and bypasses conscious resistance to change.
Also, hypnosis is a very relaxing process, even enjoyable. So, getting better becomes easier and more pleasant.
Having worked specifically with surgeons with patients who are recovering from genital surgery, I have experience in this area.
Dr Tracie O’Keefe DCH, BHSc, ND is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Counsellor, PACFA Registered Mental Health Professional and Clinical Naturopath and Director of the Australian Health & Education Centre. She has many decades of experience working with thousands of patients to help them overcome their physical and mental issues. In clinic visits or you can consult internationally via zoom. Call 0403 398808 for an appointment.
