paruresis

noun

par·u·re·sis | \ ˌpär-(y)ə-ˈrē-səs

Definition of paruresis

medical

: an inability to urinate in the presence of others (as in a public restroom) : the fear of being unable to initiate or sustain urination when other people are nearby Paruresis, or intense fear of public urination, is common and often disabling. Many people are simply unable to relieve themselves during, for example, a busy break time. —Adi Bloom

— called also bashful bladder, bashful bladder syndrome, shy bladder, shy bladder syndrome

Other words from paruresis

paruretic \ˌpär-(y)ə-ˈre-tik

\ adjective

paruretic symptoms

paruretic noun plural paruretics

Paruretics are unable to urinate if they are under time constraints, if they use a public bathroom or even in their own home if someone is within earshot. —Lisa Spinelli