www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi! This is my first post, and I thought I'd give a short introduction about myself.

I'm a 22yo male with ptsd induced panic disorder and anxiety after a terrorist attack a few years back. I almost always experience incontinence during my panic attacks, where I'll completely lack bladder (and sometimes bowel) control, and I also wet every night. This has been going on for a better part of a year now. I have always had a weak bladder (mild OAB) but after I got ill this has gotten far worse, where I'm now at a point where I more often than not don't make it to the bathroom in time. All the stress about making it or not has worn me down and now I usually just let my bladder do it's thing, even if I know I could probably make it 50% of the time. It's just not worth it worsening my anxiety and I have to wear all the time anyway. I'll deal with the anxiety first, then this.

Is there anyone else who have a similar experience?

Welcome Andoreo!

You have had a rough time. You will find a lot of understanding and support here. We have a lot of experience among our members, many of whom have PTSD. I am sure some of them will greet you over the next few days. Feel free to ask anything.

I am double incontinent and a bedwetter, so I understand at least part of what you are having to cope with.

--John

Welcome to the forums Andoreo

The members here offer Great support and advice (they have helped me to come to terms with my bladder issue).

Remember you are not alone in dealing with IC issues,

Rob

Welcome here. Good luck to you.

I've heard about anxiety induced incontinence before. As someone with PTSD, I am thankful that none of my experiences has triggered any kind of incontinence. While I wet the bed as a child, I didn't quite have the same mental issues then with anxiety or PTSD. Are you currently in treatment for your anxiety and PTSD? I would suggest talking to a doctor about the issues, as there is a chance that these two things may be unrelated to each other. Though I imagine if you have had these issues for several years, you likely have been. In any case, welcome.

First of all, thank you everybody for you responses

Yes, I'm currently undergoing treatment with a psychologist. I've had a somewhat delayed response to my trauma, which is not that uncommon, so while the initial trauma happened 5 years ago, I first experienced ptsd about a year ago after some troubles in my personal life, which sent me falling off a mental health cliff. I've talked to my GP about the "other issue" and she believes the OAB worsening to be a psychosomatic response, and hopefully something that will go away when I get better. I haven't seen a urologist, though, not since I got the mild OAB diagnose when I was around 9-10 yo (and I'm not sure I'm ready to repeat those tests...). The OAB has been with me for sure, but it wasn't that big of an issue before this started, only a need to use the bathroom quite often, but hardly any accidents and never any bedwetting. Just annoying. I feel like my anxiety and bladder problems are very linked, since they started to both worsen around the same time, but to be honest I don't really know. Hopefully it goes away some day...

Thank you for the clarification. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through something terrible. PTSD / Anxiety is not something I'd wish even on my worst enemy. To add incontinence to it would be a total nightmare. In any case, welcome. You are not alone! I do hope that your incontinence goes away as your mental issues improve.

Add my welcome to those above. Please understand that you are not alone; there are millions of folks like you, and a wonderful group of them are here. Ptsd/anxiety/incontinence are the pits. I hope we can be of service.

Welcome, Andoreo. Yes, I have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition, and it certainly exacerbates urinary urgency and frequency. Anxiety sends you into a fight/flight response, and part of that is a sudden urge to void. Our ancient forebears probably found this useful when a sabre-toothed mammoth was bearing down on them, but it's inconvenient when it gets triggered by everyday stressors. Many anxiety/depression medications can cause OAB or other problems as a side effect. But it sounds like you are already an expert about all of this stuff. Good for you!

Welcome Andoreo,
Sorry to see things are unpleasant right now for you. Everybody here has a story and there is a library of knowledge here. I'm totally incontinent without the aid of electronics.