Psychologist promises toilet training for bashful Germans

Ananova ^ | January 30, 2003 | Ananova

[MadIvan]

A German psychologist has begun offering specialist help for men with problems urinating in public.

Philipp Hammelstein is heading a two-year study at Dusseldorf's Heinrich Heine University.

Scientists estimate that between 3 and 7% of men suffer from Bashful Bladder Syndrome.

They have trouble using public toilets if somebody is standing next to them, or even just because they are afraid somebody might come in.

Dr Hammelstein examines the underlying cause in each case before dispatching patients to public conveniences in train stations and department stores.

Before they go, they have to drink at least half a litre of water.

He said: "They then tell me how urgently they need to go on a scale from one to ten. I don't even send them out before it's at least seven."

[MadIvan]

No, I did not make this up to discredit the Germans. Honest. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[AppyPappy]

No wonder they took Poland in 7 days. They needed to go really bad.

[Billthedrill]

Well, dunno about the Germans, but I do know the Japanese suffer from no such constraint. I watched two Japanese gentlemen pull to the side of a road in Tokyo and take a whizz off the edge right in front of God and everybody on the bus.

Not a big deal, you say? This was the elevated highway through Tokyo, and there were houses and people underneath.

[Krafty123]

I know why they have this disorder....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/228728/posts

:-)

[struwwelpeter]

There's this magic liquid that gets people over such bashfulness in public restrooms. Problem is, they go too far, even urinating on trees, buildings, etc. etc.

[DBtoo]

I know that can happen with women, but I didn't know it happened to men to!

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Oh Krap, this is indeed sh*tty news.

[colorado tanker]

Is this the Germans' excuse for telling the US to pi__ off?

[isthisnickcool]

gee wiz.

[Joe Brower]

No man is an island, but when you pee, urination.

[Dog Gone]

Somehow, the fact that we won't have these bashful men accompanying us into battle in Iraq seems okay now.

[Happygal]

It looks like they CAN 'hold mein beer' after all *L*

[EggsAckley]

[MadIvan]

It looks like they CAN 'hold mein beer' after all *L*

Not willingly, apparently, darling. ;)

Love, Ivan

[Arpege92]

Does size play a factor in this illness?

[Michael81Dus]

http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/HHU/Presse/STANDARD-WELCOME.php3?kennung=1499

As a student at the Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, I´m requested to take part - IF I had these problems. Thanks, I´m fine. :-)

[Michael81Dus]

Ask Dr. Hammelstein:
philipp.hammelstein@uni-duesseldorf.de

[AxelPaulsenJr]

With Klintoon his bent so far to the left that the fellow at the next urinal could not be blamed for moving.