parcopresis

{{Short description|Inability to defecate without a certain level of privacy}}{{Infobox medical condition

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|synonym = Psychogenic fecal retention

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|specialty = Psychology

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Parcopresis, also termed psychogenic fecal retention or shy bowel, and known colloquially as poop shy, is the inability to defecate without a certain level of privacy. It can be either a difficulty or inability to defecate due to significant psychological distress, and is associated with avoidance in public and social situations.{{Cite journal |last=Kuoch |first=Kenley LJ |last2=Austin |first2=David W |last3=Knowles |first3=Simon R |date=2019-04-01 |title=Latest thinking on paruresis and parcopresis: A new distinct diagnostic entity? |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-09-18-4700 |journal=Australian Journal of General Practice |volume=48 |issue=4 |pages=212–215 |doi=10.31128/ajgp-09-18-4700 |issn=2208-794X|doi-access=free |hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30132027 |hdl-access=free }} It is typically researched alongside and has comorbidity with paruresis, which is an inability or difficulty to urinate in the presence of others.

Parcopresis is not a medically recognized condition,[https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/04/the-private-lives-of-public-bathrooms/360497/ The Private Lives of Public Bathrooms - Julie Beck - The Atlantic] although one case report in 2011 suggests it should be classified as a form of social phobia.{{Cite journal |last=Barros |first=Régis Eric Maia |date=December 2011 |title=Paruresis and Parcopresis in Social Phobia: a case report |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462011000400019 |journal=Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=416–417 |doi=10.1590/s1516-44462011000400019 |issn=1516-4446|doi-access=free }} {{As of|2019}}, little is known about parcopresis and it has unknown prevalence. One 2021 study with a sample size of 714 university students found that a gender-adjusted 14.4% of the study population avoided using public toilets for fears associated with parcopresis, with significantly higher prevalence among females.{{Cite journal |last=Knowles |first=Simon R. |date=2023-01-01 |title=Socio-cognitive processes are associated with parcopresis symptoms and public toilet avoidance in university students |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01586-x |journal=Current Psychology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=1762–1772 |doi=10.1007/s12144-021-01586-x |issn=1936-4733|url-access=subscription }} Cognitive behavioral therapy is speculated to provide the most benefit, but there is not yet research to support this claim.