Overcoming Toilet Anxiety: A Personal Story + Tips from Lauren Rose

Shannon Jackson
May 14, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Mar 27

Toilet anxiety is something I personally struggled with for years—and I know how isolating and overwhelming it can be. If you're anything like me, anxiety often shows up in the form of stomach issues: cramps, nausea, diarrhea, or even vomiting. And when those symptoms hit, it can feel like you need a bathroom right now or something terrible might happen. That fear can make it feel impossible to be far from a toilet, and it can leave you thinking you’ll have an accident if one isn’t nearby.

I know how silly it might sound, but let me be clear: toilet anxiety is real, and you're not alone.

My Struggle with Bathroom Anxiety

For a long time, I was too embarrassed to talk about my fear—even with the people I trusted most. I was terrified to admit how often I worried about pooping my pants or not making it to the bathroom in time. But when I finally opened up to my husband and mom, I realized how healing it is to be honest about our fears. If you’re struggling in silence, please know that your fears are valid. And healing starts with compassion.

You can read more about my journey here: My Journey With Toilet Anxiety – With 5 Helpful Tips

a bathroom — Bathroom anxiety can be an overwhelming experience.

This Week’s Podcast: Overcoming Toilet Anxiety with Lauren Rose

In this episode of the podcast, I talk with Lauren Rose, a writer, mom, and creator who has overcome toilet anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. Lauren shares what helped her the most in healing from bathroom anxiety—and her story is so powerful and relatable.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation...

1. Safety Behaviors Keep You Stuck in the Fear Loop

Lauren shares something I completely agree with: the habits that feel like they're keeping you “safe” are often reinforcing your fear. When it comes to bathroom anxiety, these safety behaviors might look like:

Taking Imodium “just in case”
Avoiding certain foods before leaving the house
Wearing a diaper for reassurance

These behaviors might give short-term relief, but they don’t build long-term confidence. As Lauren said, they kept her stuck in fear and made her feel like she couldn’t trust herself. Recovery really begins when you start believing you are your safe place.

2. Learn to Nurture Yourself Through the Discomfort

One of the most powerful tools Lauren used was self-compassion. Like many of us, she used to seek comfort from others when things felt hard. But part of her recovery journey involved learning how to be kind to herself through the discomfort.

When you learn to talk to yourself with kindness, you start building trust. You remind yourself: I've got this. I'm capable. I can handle whatever comes. And honestly? That trust goes a long way in overcoming anxiety—especially toilet-related fears.

3. Releasing Anxiety’s Power by Speaking Your Truth

Lauren and I both agree—being open about our struggles was a game-changer. There’s so much shame around toilet anxiety, and so many of us feel like we have to hide it. But when Lauren started sharing her journey on YouTube, it gave her space to breathe and connect with others going through the same thing. Your anxiety doesn’t define you. In fact, your willingness to face it makes you incredibly strong.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Toilet Anxiety?

If you’re tired of planning your life around bathrooms and feeling stuck in fear, I created something that might be just what you need.

My Freedom From Toilet Anxiety Masterclass is designed to help you:

Reduce the fear of needing a bathroom
Stop relying on safety behaviors
Build trust in your body and yourself
Say YES to life again, without fear of accidents

And if you can’t make the live session—don’t worry! You’ll get access to the replay so you can watch it on your own time.

Sign up for the Freedom From Toilet Anxiety Masterclass here!

Let This Be Your Reminder...

If you take one thing from this blog post, let it be this:You are not alone, you are not broken, and you can recover from toilet anxiety. You might feel stuck right now, but healing is possible—and your story is still being written.

Until next time, friend—keep taking healthy action. You’re doing better than you think. 💛

Want More Support?

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Lauren Rose (it’s packed with powerful tips and encouragement!)
💬 Check out Lauren’s Instagram: @laurenr_rose
📘 Explore her free resources and mentoring: Lauren Rose Resources