[MadIvan]

I find this article absolutely hilarious. Of course the one item that raises a particular question is if people are too shy to seek help for this problem, how do you know there are 4 million of them?

Regards, Ivan

[Chewie84]

Maybe they watched "Lethal Weapon 2" a few too many times.

[Solamente]

I used to worry when I was a kid that some aquatic creature would swim up the pipes and bite my balls - after all, one is most vulnerable whilst seated on the toilet.

[san juan]

"I find this article absolutely hilarious."

This is a very real phobia; as unexplainable but nearly as common as your partner's fear of spiders yet far more debilitating. My question is: Why do you find it so laughable? Do you still giggle as fart jokes?

[Mo1]

The NPS, which works with people affected by anxiety disorders, has classified the "secret" problem of toilet phobia as an anxiety condition in its own right and is launching a new campaign to help sufferers.

Well the new campaign ads should be interesting to see LOL!

[aculeus]

Of course the one item that raises a particular question is if people are too shy to seek help for this problem, how do you know there are 4 million of them?

The same folks counted 600,000 dead Iraqis and 11 million illegal US immigrants.

[PeterPrinciple]

If they did a little further research I think they would find this is not a problem for homosexuals, they seem very comfortable with using their orifices.

[P.O.E.]

A Guide to Proper Etiquette in the Men's Restroom.

Although they did forget the all-important "courtesy flush".

[kylaka]

I was in France when I was a wee tyke, and of all the things there are to remember about France, I recall the public toilets the most. I remember asking my mom how people put up with that. Aside from the NYC subway, which is one giant toilet, public facilities in the US are pretty good.

[onehipdad]

Always wondered why there were so few Brits on the Oregon Trail..

[EGPWS]

"It is known as the 'secret' or 'silent' phobia because of its double whammy impact,"...

Often times "toilet phobia" is augmented by "oral phobia" which can lead to "silent phobia" but not necessarily contained to "silent phobia".

Some have been stricken with "dog do phobia" which is the avoidance of dog do because of their other phobia's impact on them and also some have been stricken with "bear phobia" because well, we all know what bears do in the woods, and in some extreme cases some have been stricken with "plumber phobia" which is the avoidance of having plumbing repaired, however the most prevalent off shot phobia is the phobia many acquire for the numbers 1 and 2.

We need some serious government investment in this phenomena before it destroys civilization as we know it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***At least four million Britons suffer from debilitating toilet phobias and most are too embarrassed to seek help,***


Let me guess... These are the only toilets left that still face Mecca.

[F.J. Mitchell]

I always say "I am going to the sh*t house, so talk loud or turn up the volume if you can't handle gross noises."

When I was younger I tried to not pee in the water when oneing it, but too often missed the commode completely. It finally dawned upon me that my host or hostess would rather listen to a few seconds on Niagara Falls than mopping up the great flood.

[RightWhale]

Calling it a toilet is also going for the euphemism. It is a clo and has been since civilization arrived in the eastern Mediterranean.

[Ptarmigan]

I have leporiphobia, fear of rabbits/hares, and I am proud of it. Those filthy war criminals.

[HitmanLV]

Toilet phobias range from a mild dislike of public loos

That's called 'normal.'

[SnarlinCubBear]

Don't quote me on this....

[xJones]

Ivan, it's easy to laugh, snort, and jeer at the potty-challenged, but how would you like to plop your buns down on one of these (from the UK):

Or just look at this alligator found in a Mississippi sewer last year:

We are talking about some serious butt munchers here, and I cite as my source the illustrous website toiletology. I rest my case, but not my buns.

[Old Professer]

The guided imagery part is provocative, what if your dog has it and he takes you out into the parking lot instead?

[BunnySlippers]

They need the "Stadium Buddy". :)

[GSlob]

Well, check http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1735310/posts?q=1&&page=1#50 [that thread had a few more choce ones, too, but that was the "best"] - and then honestly tell who would NOT develop a phobia.