Behavioral Health Clinic

  “Bathroom camping” is a newly coined term by Gen Z that describes a long-standing behavior of finding solace in a restroom when everything becomes “too much” to handle. Many individuals online as of late have discussed finding a safe hideaway for themselves to cope with feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just generally needing a break. This can occur, not only in public restroom stalls, but also in private restrooms at home. Myself and my colleagues at  Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC)   have heard of this style of coping and worked to address it in therapy. Many older adults have expressed extreme discomfort with the concept of “bathroom camping” and consider it to be a normal part of adulthood. People criticize this behavior as being unproductive or taking up space from people who need to use the bathroom for its “intended” purpose. Some folks have shown their irritation online as another way to resent Gen Z for being “fragile” or “snowflakes,” but is that really all the...

  Things can become chaotic in our lives, or at the very least, overwhelming at times and in those moments, we search for a sense of power and control. When we focus on what we have control over in times of distress we are better able to manage our mood, our thinking, and our actions. When we have power and control, we feel safe. This is no different for children. Children often attempt to control their environment which, when they are unsuccessful, can lead to them displaying negative moods and behaviors. A helpful way to guide your child through difficult moments is to share power with them when you feel it is appropriate. Continuing to use this technique even when the child is not in distress can also prevent negative situations from occurring. When I talk about sharing power and control, I mean giving your child some say over what occurs in their day-to-day life. You are the parent or caregiver, so you remain “the boss” in the situation however you can give the child control in...