We Shall Be Free: Over 50% of Americans Suffer from ‘Blowout Anxiety,’ Survey Finds

So you have bathroom anxiety? According to a new study, half of all Americans do, and a large majority put off going to the bathroom because of it.

The survey of 2,000 American adults found that 92% have had to stop going to the bathroom in order not to miss something exciting or important, and 51% have “spirit-anxiety” – the anxiety that hits when people feel stuck. a situation that keeps them away from the bathroom for a long period of time.

A quarter (24%) said they often refuse to go to the bathroom, so as not to miss what they see as an exciting or important event.

Thirty-five percent said they missed important life moments because they needed to rush to the bathroom.

Several respondents recalled missing their child’s first steps, an epic concert finale and once-in-a-lifetime photo shoots.

And a third have missed major sports moments because they were on the toilet, including Big Game-winning plays, World Series grand slams, NBA Finals 3-pointers and even their child’s pee game wins .

Commissioned by Angel Soft Toilet Paper and conducted by Talker Research, the study found that the worst times to need a bathroom break are when you’re stuck in traffic (40%), during long car journeys (34% ), while waiting in line (34%). , during intimate moments (28%) or in the middle of a movie (24%).

One in five even said they feel FOMO when they have to use the bathroom during a can’t-miss moment.

Nearly two in three (61%) will rush to make sure they don’t miss important moments and 47% admit they’ve been late to events because of the bathroom.

Most (64%) said they tend to map out the “best” times to go to the bathroom before important events.

But if there was ever a way to predict the best time to go to the bathroom during live events, 66% said they would be interested in seeing the prediction.

And as for “spirituality”: the study predicts it’s likely to hit during the Big Game this year, as 76% of the population will potentially tune in.

“We know that nature can call at the worst times, and one of the hardest times is during the big game,” said Rafael Garcia, VP, General Manager, Angel Soft Toilet Paper. “It’s that one time a year where every moment is inexplicable from the game to the halftime show and the commercials, which it seems like you’re almost guaranteed to miss if you take a bathroom break.”

The research found that many are unwilling to risk missing a moment of the big game this year.

In fact, the study revealed what people claim are the best and worst times to spend playing in February. 9.

According to them, the best times to “go out” are: right before or during halftime (27%), during kickoff (19%), during first quarter commercial breaks (19%) or during holidays of the second quarter (15%).

Meanwhile, respondents say the worst times to go are during the last two minutes of a game (33%), during kickoff (25%), during the first half (25%), during any overtime (23%) or during the fourth game. quarter of the game (14%).

Over half (54%) said they would get someone else to catch their miss if they had to rush to the bathroom during the game. And another 48% won’t risk it – they’ll watch the game on their phone while they use the bathroom.

Research also found that 86% of Americans have had “close calls” — nearly losing control of their bladder — because they needed to go to the bathroom.

In the past year alone, the average person has had five close calls.

“We can’t always predict the future and tell when we should go, but we can certainly plan ahead for it,” Garcia continued. “People deserve to have some time dedicated to bathroom breaks – especially during important events and moments.”

WHAT SPORTING MAJOR MOMENTS HAVE PEOPLE MISSED IN BATH?

• “Bernie Kosar broke a record for most passes completed at Cleveland Stadium and I was waiting in a long line to pee.”
• “I missed Malcolm Butler’s goal line save in Super Bowl XLIX.”
• “LeBron Blocking Warriors 2016 NBA Finals.”
• “Joe Carter’s game-winning home run in the 1992 World Series that won it for the Blue Jays”.
• “Cornerback Ty Law’s Interception During Super Bowl.”
• “In 2015, when Derrick Henry scored the last touchdown for Alabama against Auburn. I had to pee and I missed the game.”
• “In 2006 in a bar when the Tigers were getting ready to go in the ninth inning. “I missed Magglio Ordonez’s home run to put them in the World Series.”
• “NBA Detroit Pistons’ Rashed Wallace hits a 3-pointer to send them into overtime.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans of the general population; the survey was commissioned by toilet paper makers Angel Soft and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between December. 23 and December. 30, 2024.