Written by Kiersten, contributor at Eighty MPH Mom
Do you suffer from PBA? Public Bathroom Anxiety is a serious condition. It’s serious, people! As a service to you, dear Eighty MPH Mom readers, I’m going to come out of the water closet and share my personal journey with PBA.
As a child, I was always a bit particular about germs, dirt, and smells. My earliest recollection of PBA was in pre-school–our teacher would round up all the girls mid-morning and take them to the bathroom. I absolutely refused to go–refused! I would insist on staying behind with the boys instead because “I don’t have to go!” The bathroom was gross. It smelled funny. And anyone who actually lowered themselves to use the public lavatory? Well, they just didn’t have any self-control! And I made sure to tell them such too. (Oh yes, I was a handful as a child. My poor mother fielded many “concerned” phone calls from frazzled teachers…)
I can tell you this much–I could probably count on one hand the number of times I used a public bathroom as a child. One of my proudest achievements was going camping with the Girl Scouts for an entire weekend and only having to pee once. When I got home I was terribly dehydrated and immediately had to be taken to the doctor, but I still look upon that with fondness–I mean, I was a really stubborn 8 year old. As I got older, friends started calling me ‘The Girl with the Iron Bladder’. They may have been teasing me, but I took it as a badge of honor.
Unfortunately, this all changed once I reached adulthood. Long days on campus as a student and then working once I graduated meant that I actually had to start using public bathrooms. Sometimes. Rarely. I found myself so grossed out at the prospect that I’d carefully monitor my fluid intake all day, only allowing myself to drink more than a sip or two at the end of the day when I knew I’d be going home soon.
I’m so used to being this way that I don’t really give it a second thought anymore. I tend not to order drinks at restaurants and even soups are off limits if I know I’m not going to be home soon. While I realize that this makes me sound completely neurotic, I stand by my assertion that public bathrooms are disgusting. I don’t want to hear what’s going on in the stall next to me! I don’t want to sit where someone else has sat–without pants on! I mean, I don’t even like the idea of sharing a bathroom with family members, let alone strangers!
So there’s my PBA story. How do you feel about public bathrooms? Do you avoid them at all costs? Or am I completely crazy? (Don’t answer that…)
Debra @ A Frugal Friend
Yes, totally disgusting……..and now that I have a 3 yr old I’m reminded all the time of all the extra germs in public restrooms!
sustahl
I will use the closest bathroom I need to. I am related to someone that will run home to use the bathroom if it is something that he needs to sit for. He has been that way since I can remember… in school he would either just leave or convince the school nurse to call.
dannyscotland
I’m a teacher by profession, and we often have to go hours without using the bathroom. As a result, teachers are the profession with the highest incidence of incontinence and bladder issues when they are older.
I think public bathrooms are gross, too, and I do NOT sit on the seat. However, I know I’m already at higher risk for depending on Depends later in life, so I don’t hold it. When I gotta go, I go.
Be careful; holding it isn’t really very good for you. (Spoken with luv)
Bonnie P
I will choose the restroom I think is less used. I will go at Kohl’s before I will use Walmart’s facilities. I also like to have the whole restroom to myself. I always go at home before I leave, so I don’t have to use the public places. Fast food rooms are the worst. Sometimes they only have one toilet.
Mrs. Cox
LOL I don’t like using public restrooms but if I have to I will. I’ve mastered the “hover”… but I think my biggest annoyance is when you look down and see your stall neighbor’s kid’s head peeking out from under the stall wall. Hello!! 😀
Krista
You’re not completely crazy at all. We all have things like this. I’m super weird about people coming to my house. I was just telling my hubby about this post because he has PBA as well. Thanks for sharing!
Kayla
I HATE public restrooms-Seriously, they completely freak me out O.o
So you are not alone my friend!! The only time that I will go is when there is no other possible way to avoid it.
Sky
You completely crack me up…but I get it. I’d rather not use a public restroom. Ew. It’s hilarious because we have staff bathroom and a public bathroom at work. No one on staff will use the public bathroom. Ever. It could be because there were lice all over the mens one day. Yep, a transient shaved. Shaved what, I don’t know. LOL
Paige has the same bathroom phobia. We have to carry one of her potty seats around with anti-bacterial wipes. I wipe down the toilet, her seat and she will go. After she’s done I have to wipe the seat again. It’s freaking crazy, but I’ll do anything for my OCD girl.
Marcy
I’m OK with public restrooms, but I’m not OK with some other things that most people seem OK with. I see people putting their apples or sandwiches right down on the staff table without a napkin or anything and then eating it. I don’t know the last time that table was ever cleaned.