Dealing With Incontinence Anxiety

What Is Incontinence Anxiety

Incontinence anxiety is a psychological condition characterised by an overwhelming fear of experiencing urinary or faecal leakages in public situations. In some cases, this incontinence anxiety can become so intense that it leads to the person avoiding social situations and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.

Incontinence anxiety is not the same as urinary or faecal incontinence. Incontinence anxiety is a condition that a person can develop, as a perception of potential bladder leakages in social situations or past experiences with incontinence. If you are suffering from incontinence, you can use our adult nappies to help you manage your symptoms.

Symptoms of Incontinence Anxiety

Anxiety and the bladder are closely linked, and anxiety can cause a person to experience a range of urinary symptoms. These symptoms can be both physical and emotional and have a significant impact on their quality of life. Here are some of the common symptoms experienced by individuals with incontinence anxiety:

●        Overwhelming fear of incontinence in public situations

●        Frequent worry and anxiety about having an accident or leakage

●        Avoidance of social situations due to fear of incontinence

●        Hypervigilance to bodily sensations related to bladder or bowel function

●        Repeatedly checking whether the bladder or bowel is empty

●        Difficulty sleeping due to anxiety about incontinence

●        Feelings of shame, embarrassment, and low self-esteem

●        Negative impact on social, professional, and personal relationships

●        Physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating, nausea and an increased heart rate

Can Incontinence Anxiety Be Diagnosed

Currently, there are no standardised diagnostic criteria available for incontinence anxiety. However, a doctor may diagnose incontinence anxiety based on the presence of anxiety symptoms that are known to significantly interfere with an individual's daily life and activities. These symptoms may include overwhelming fear of incontinence in public situations, avoidance of social activities or places due to the fear of incontinence, and a negative impact on social and work relationships.

Furthermore, a doctor may also consider other factors when diagnosing incontinence anxiety, including the severity, frequency and duration of symptoms and any underlying physical or psychological conditions. It is important to note that a thorough evaluation is necessary to rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Tips For Easing and Treating Incontinence Anxiety

Although experiencing anxiety and incontinence can be embarrassing and troublesome, there are several ways that you can manage your symptoms and treat the condition. However, some treatments and aids will help your condition, while others may not prove helpful. So, try some of our suggestions for easing and treating incontinence anxiety to help ease your symptoms.

1.     Take Preventative Measures

Incontinence anxiety usually occurs in those who have had bad experiences with incontinence, and as a result are worried about negative and potentially embarrassing situations arising in the future. However, if you take preventative measures to reduce the chances of such circumstances happening, you may be able to find better peace of mind and ease your anxiety. Fortunately, there are plenty of preventative measures that can help reduce your incontinence symptoms. For example, there are products such as incontinence pads and incontinence pants that you can wear to reduce leakages and dietary changes you can make to reduce symptoms, including drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding bladder irritants.

Read More: Bladder Friendly Drinks - The Best Drinks To Stay Healthy and Hydrated

2.     Seek Treatment For Your Symptoms

Seeking treatment for anxiety incontinence and its symptoms can help you to manage and potentially improve your condition. There are several treatment options available for incontinence anxiety, and they may include medications to reduce bladder contractions, physical therapy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, and surgical interventions depending on the underlying cause of the incontinence. To determine the best treatment for you, you should seek professional help through a doctor.

3.     Start Doing Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises are incredibly beneficial, as they strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and bowel. This reduces the risk of incontinence leakages, helping to ease your anxiety. Usually, these exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which can be done anywhere and at any time. Also, pelvic floor exercises can help with the sensation of urgency and anxiety associated with incontinence.

4.     Practice Yoga

Practising yoga can help improve mindfulness and relaxation, reducing anxiety associated with incontinence. Yoga poses that focus on the pelvic area, such as the bridge pose and pelvic tilt, can also help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Some more of the best yoga poses to help strengthen the pelvic floor include:

●        Chair pose

●        Triangle pose

●        Mountain pose

●        Supported bridge pose

●        Corpse pose[iii]

5.     Maintain Social Connections and Activities

Social support is crucial when it comes to coping with anxiety urination. Maintaining relationships with friends and family will help avoid feelings of isolation, and attending support groups with others who are going through the same struggles can also provide a sense of community and validation. Also, engaging in social activities can serve as a distraction from anxiety and help boost overall mood and well-being.

FAQs

Does Anxiety Cause Incontinence?

Anxiety can be a contributing factor to incontinence in some cases. When someone experiences anxiety or stress, their body's "fight or flight" response is activated, which can cause the muscles in the body to tense up. In some cases, this can include the muscles that control the bladder and bowel. This tension can lead to urinary urgency, frequency, or even leakage, particularly in individuals who already have a weak pelvic floor or underlying medical conditions that affect bladder control.

Additionally, anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to an increased risk of developing urinary incontinence. However, not everyone who has incontinence will experience anxiety, and vice versa.

Can Incontinence Be Psychosomatic?

Yes, incontinence can be psychosomatic. Psychosomatic incontinence refers to bladder control problems that are caused by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, or depression. These psychological factors can affect the way the brain signals the bladder to empty or weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leading to urinary incontinence. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence, it’s important to get a medical opinion before brushing off your symptoms as psychosomatic.

Can anxiety make you wee more?

When we are anxious, our bodies react in several different ways, such as sweating, muscle tension and an increased heart rate. Unfortunately, these can affect the muscles that control your bladder and lead to urinary incontinence, particularly if you already have a weak pelvic floor or an underlying medical condition that affects bladder control.