Toilet Phobia -Getting to the Bottom of It

1. �Toilet Phobia�-Getting to the Bottom of It National Phobics Society,Zion CRC,339 Stretford Road, Hulme,Manchester, M15 4ZYTel: 0870 122 2325Fax: 0161 226 7727Email: info @phobics-society.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1113403Company Registration No: 5551121 Introduction to NPS- What the organisation is and how we opperate Who we are (Pauline and I) and how we came to be involved in the Toilet Phobia Campaign. Intro on toilet phobia- i.e we have been supporting people with TP and it has different forms Needed more info on this - Introduction to NPS- What the organisation is and how we opperate Who we are (Pauline and I) and how we came to be involved in the Toilet Phobia Campaign. Intro on toilet phobia- i.e we have been supporting people with TP and it has different forms Needed more info on this -

2. Gathering Information Flyer sent out with newsletter- asking individuals with TP to contact us. Sourcing existing NPS members for TP sufferers Contacting individuals via telephone - Interviewing and recording case studies from those affected by TP Contacting individuals via internet - UK Toilet Phobia Group - NPS Bulletin Board Discussion on where we took info from- eg telephone, internet Discussion on where we took info from- eg telephone, internet

3. Case Study Information We asked all TP sufferers: -Age, location, gender -Background information on the way TP had developed -Type of TP -How it had affected their daily life -Treatment (if any) -Ability to discuss TP with others

4. Statistics from NPS Research 22 individuals responded to the flyer 18 of these were female and 4 were male - approximately a 5:1 female to male ratio The majority of females were affected by agoraphobia related TP whilst the majority of males were affected by AP The ages of the individuals that responded to the flyer ranged from 21-79 years. 55% were under 40 years old 75% were under 50 years old The geographical location of TP sufferers was evenly spread

5. Incidence of Associated Conditions

6. Emerging Themes It was clear that people would like the subject to be more openly talked about, however, they were not prepared to go public themselves. The majority of people spoken to agreed to help with the booklet but did not want to be identified as a sufferer Several people said they would admit to others that they were affected by anxiety but would not admit to having TP

7. Themes Continued � A number of people identified a particular incident, usually in childhood (and several within school) as a trigger point for TP Also: Learnt behaviour was identified as a factor for TP behaviour

8. Themes Continued� TP was reported as being restrictive to varying degrees� particularly around travel, social events and work. Exacerbating factors include: layout and design of toilets, queuing, cleanliness, availability of toilet paper and soap etc. Several people would not discuss TP issues with their GP for fear of being thought �mad�

9. Avoidant behaviour Restricting travel Adapting eating and drinking patterns Avoiding social gatherings and events Restricting employment opportunities Deceptive behaviour around TP issues Avoiding using hands to touch seats/ taps/ doors etc Avoiding using urinals Avoiding use of the toilet

10. Safety Strategies Taking Imodium Carrying changes of clothes and adapting clothes to hide �accidents� Using panty-liners, sanitary towels etc Carrying deodorant Using cubicles rather than urinals Carrying toilet paper Preplanning routes to include toilets

11. Coping With TP A strong message emerged that making contact with fellow sufferers helped with support and reduced isolation Talking therapies helped at the time, although most TP sufferers said that they reverted back to their previous behaviour some time after therapy ended Help for TP is often difficult to access

12. Voices �I�ve not told anybody, not even my husband� �I always plan when it is �safe� to go to the toilet and I make sure that nobody knows� �Queuing for toilets can cause me extreme anxiety� �I restrict my fluid intake and wear panty-liners or sanitary towels so that I feel more secure� �I don�t go out much because of my phobia, which means I don�t see many people. I know I appear unsociable�

13. Examples of How NPS can Help Booklet on TP DVD on TP Support and information services including internet chat room and helpline Therapy services (inc. CBT, Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Alternative Therapies) Increasing contact between TP sufferers