I have had mild/moderate anxiety most of my life, in the past often manifesting more as anxiety and during especially stressful periods occasional panic attacks. However, lately I have experienced a new problem - I'm particularly anxious about not having access to a bathroom (and needing to poop). I know anxiety is the underlying problem, because I can directly view this effect: If I am at home alone, I never experience this sort of urgent need to poop - it comes on more gradually in the morning after some food, coffee, etc. However, in my current living situation I have 3 roommates sharing 1 bathroom, so often in the morning, you have to wait until the bathroom is available. Most days, I will be completely fine, and then when I hear someone has gone into the bathroom (e.g., shower starts running), the anxiety triggers my urge to poop, and within 1-2 minutes it feels very very uncomfortable. I haven't had an "accident" yet, but have come very, very close. The cause of the urge is definitely psychological because I can link it directly to when I find out I don't have access to a bathroom. I sometimes have had the same feeling when in a car in traffic, for example. 

I don't have access to therapy at the moment, so aside from this option, can people please share some advice? I have tried to use the bathroom first thing in the morning, but I truly don't need to go unless I  either (1) eat and drink some coffee, or (2) get this anxiety, due to lack of access to the bathroom. So, it's not like I can just decide to use the bathroom first thing in the morning and avoid the problem entirely. I want to address the psychological cause rather than take e.g., immodium or something which will disrupt the digestive system.

I recognize that with my other anxieties, I have dealt with them best by immersing myself (e.g., afraid to go to a social event? force yourself to go, don't avoid, etc.). This one is more complicated though, because I don't want to "force myself" to wait to use the toilet when it gets very urgent. I'm assuming it's not possible, but in general, I would love to disconnect the mind-stomach connection, since my stomach/digestive system has always been the main area where my anxiety manifests.