Phobias, myths, and taboos about public toilets

How many times have you been told not to touch the toilet seat or not to close the door of a public restroom? Valid fears or false myths?

Four million people in the UK admit to being afraid of public toilets. Even more people worldwide risk negative consequences for their mental and physical health to avoid encountering a public restroom.

We've decided to dispel some false myths and taboos to make your connection with public restrooms not so daunting.

 

When fear turns into a phobia: Paruresis and Urophobia

 

Did you know that the fear of someone hearing the noises when we use the bathroom has a name? It's called Paruresis, also known as shy bladder syndrome, and it develops in early childhood when we're taught to do this "work" secretly from others.

The International Paruresis Association reports that nearly 7% of the population is affected, mostly men.

 

 

The step from taboo to phobia is small. Urophobia – the fear of using the restroom in the presence of others – describes the discomfort of using restrooms with thin walls or those located close together like urinals.

A study from 1976 found that when two men use urinals close to each other, it takes them much longer to urinate. Discomforts that for many people can become overwhelming.

Solution: If you feel you have a phobia of public restrooms, a psychologist can help you. Your bladder and your health will thank you.

 

Do public restrooms carry diseases?

 

Let's start by debunking a myth that is still widely believed: sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are NOT transmitted through toilet seats.

STDs are caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cannot survive for long or thrive on hard surfaces, including toilet seats.

Solution: Education and awareness.

 

Public toilets are often believed to be teeming with microbes.

 

The fear of microbes is called misophobia or germaphobia.

While it's true that toilet seats can be somewhat dirty, they are no dirtier than other surfaces in the restroom (such as handles, dispensers), as well as kitchen sponges, mobile phone screens, or keyboards.

In fact, you may find more bacteria on a shopping cart handle than you would on a toilet seat.

Solution: Better hygiene practices.

 

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To sit on the toilet, you need to cover it with toilet paper.

 

You'll be surprised, but it's less risky to sit directly on the toilet than on toilet paper.

 

The reason is simple: the toilet commode, with its smooth surface, harbors fewer microbes, as bacteria on the seats die relatively quickly. Toilet paper has a rough surface and is designed to absorb, creating an ideal environment for various bacteria. And since it usually sits close to the toilet bowl, when flushing, bacteria are dispersed into the air and land on it.

Solution: equip yourself with antibacterial wipes or special toilet seat covers.

 

Don't close that door.

 

How many times have you hidden in the school bathrooms to skip "that" class? Claustrophobia is the fear of closed and tight spaces, but there's a subtler nuance, entamaphobia, the fear of doors.

Restrooms, especially those in large commercial establishments, public places, and museums, do everything to challenge even the bravest. There are people who barricade themselves in the tight airplane lavatory, causing a 45-minute delay without any explanation, and there are those who decide to lock themselves in the restroom as part of a challenge on social media.

Solution: If you decide to test yourself in the art of escapology, don't forget to inform someone about your plans or... change your hobby!