Sometimes I have this thing where I think too much about having to go to the bathroom. I try not to drink too much water before going to a place I know I'll have to sit still for a long time. For example, before I take a road trip or before mass. But the more I think about it, the more it seems like I have to take a whiz.
Yesterday, I went to church with the family: there was me, Lyla, James, Lory, Mom and Pops. I went to the bathroom before leaving but around 30 minutes into the mass I started to worry about having to get up to go to the restroom. I was sitting in the middle pew, and there were 5 people to the left of me, 5 to the right of me. So I began to feel a little cramped. I also imagined that I somehow would lose control of my bladder and would have to immediately go home and it would cause a scene.
I'm not sure why that thought frequently hits my mind: the idea that I have to have an immediate escape and that somehow I will act upon that idea. I can't think of a time where I panicked and immediately insisted that I leave or someone take me home. I guess once in high school before I knew what panic disorder was, but that was 10 years ago.
Anyway, I decided that I would prove to myself that I can hold it and that I can just let the panic thoughts pass by as I observe the symptoms. I ended up holding it from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. I should remind myself of this time that I can wait it out and there is no emergency to go to the bathroom or leave the situation.
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You know - I have had instances of this happening to where like the thought comes into my head that I have to go use the restroom. At church, I usually wind up sitting in an aisle seat or as close to the aisle as I can get and usually it calms me down and I don't have to go. Maybe try doing that whenever you have a chance to?
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