Rapid Treatment of Excessive Urinary Urgency and Frequency by Progressive Retention Training, Cognitive Restructuring and In Vivo Desensitization

Abstract

A 32-year-old man with a 10-year history of psychogenic urinary frequency was treated using a two-stage behavioural intervention. Stage 1 comprised urinary retention training, which led to a marked reduction in urinary frequency. Stage 2 employed retention training, in vivo desensitization and cognitive restructuring, resulting in a reduction of phobic avoidance and a decrease in self-reported social anxiety. Gains were maintained at two- and ten-month follow-ups. The results suggest that the introduction of retention training prior to counterconditioning leads to a rapid resolution of pollakiuretic behaviour when anxiety is implicated as a mediating factor.