Anxiety

[Shepherd1991]

Hey!

I just wanted to make this quick topic before I got to sleep. I don't know what I am doing up anyway.

I have horrible anxiety. I am a volunteer fire fighter and manage just fine. I just take things really personal if I don't do something right. I am not an EMT or anything yet but I have been with the Fire Dept for 3 years now. I did ride alongs at 15, and I am now 18 so I am a volunteer. I dedicate all of my time hanging out at the Fire Station and going to the PD and hanging out with everyone. My best friends are cops and I do ride alongs there sometimes too. I got to be careful if the captain sees me riding with the Police it's bad news... Jk.. Haha, I actually wanted to become a cop in High School. I was ran on multiple times for passing out in school from my anxiety. That's how I joined the fire dept. I know I need to get my anxiety together to become a cop because it's not the right field for me to be in if I have horrible anxiety. I am working on things with meds and all. My therapist recommended medicated pot and I would not accept it. I never done drugs in my life and I didn't want to ruin my career either. My dad works for D.O.C and is a criminal investigator. He did patrol for ages too. I had one time where the Police where called to me and it was because of a recent medicine change I had and it made me severely depressed. It was in a different city so I met with the Police there and we talked about things. My friend called them because he was worried. I was so embarrassed because I was in my Fire Uniform when I talked to them. I didn't need medical or anything like that but I drove home to my mom and stayed there for the night. By morning time I was good. I am trying everything to get my anxiety better so I can be a Police Officer. It's what I have wanted to do for so long now. Can someone help me out on maybe some stuff I can do to cope with my anxiety for Police Work? I been with fire Dept and been on calls where people have been shot... Stabbed... and overdosed on drugs... and it's hard but I manage. Then... I have also been in many situations where I have been cussed at by drunks and stuff and it doesn't bother me at all. It's kinda funny actually. :P It's just one on one talking to people thinking I am always going to mess up. I am GREAT with people. Especially kids. I no longer have panic attacks... and I am getting better. I was just wondering if any of you guys have any advice on this, and if my encounter with the police will effect my career. I hope you all had a safe Christmas and new years. Stay safe out there.

[Samuel]

Hey!

I just wanted to make this quick topic before I got to sleep. I don't know what I am doing up anyway.

I have horrible anxiety. I am a volunteer fire fighter and manage just fine. I just take things really personal if I don't do something right. I am not an EMT or anything yet but I have been with the Fire Dept for 3 years now. I did ride alongs at 15, and I am now 18 so I am a volunteer. I dedicate all of my time hanging out at the Fire Station and going to the PD and hanging out with everyone. My best friends are cops and I do ride alongs there sometimes too. I got to be careful if the captain sees me riding with the Police it's bad news... Jk.. Haha, I actually wanted to become a cop in High School. I was ran on multiple times for passing out in school from my anxiety. That's how I joined the fire dept. I know I need to get my anxiety together to become a cop because it's not the right field for me to be in if I have horrible anxiety. I am working on things with meds and all. My therapist recommended medicated pot and I would not accept it. I never done drugs in my life and I didn't want to ruin my career either. My dad works for D.O.C and is a criminal investigator. He did patrol for ages too. I had one time where the Police where called to me and it was because of a recent medicine change I had and it made me severely depressed. It was in a different city so I met with the Police there and we talked about things. My friend called them because he was worried. I was so embarrassed because I was in my Fire Uniform when I talked to them. I didn't need medical or anything like that but I drove home to my mom and stayed there for the night. By morning time I was good. I am trying everything to get my anxiety better so I can be a Police Officer. It's what I have wanted to do for so long now. Can someone help me out on maybe some stuff I can do to cope with my anxiety for Police Work? I been with fire Dept and been on calls where people have been shot... Stabbed... and overdosed on drugs... and it's hard but I manage. Then... I have also been in many situations where I have been cussed at by drunks and stuff and it doesn't bother me at all. It's kinda funny actually. :P It's just one on one talking to people thinking I am always going to mess up. I am GREAT with people. Especially kids. I no longer have panic attacks... and I am getting better. I was just wondering if any of you guys have any advice on this, and if my encounter with the police will effect my career. I hope you all had a safe Christmas and new years. Stay safe out there.

You have a therapist and you have family and friends in both LE and public safety - IMO, you should be asking them, the people who know you, not anyone here...

Although I might recommend looking for a different therapist - I wouldn't trust anyone who would Recommend "medicated pot", since there is no such thing...

[retdetsgt]

My therapist recommended medicated pot

You'd still have anxiety, but you wouldn't care.

Get another therapist. That should be able to be worked out if it's not terribly bad.

[Shepherd1991]

[QUOTE=retdetsgt;1069362]You'd still have anxiety, but you wouldn't care.

That's exactly what I thought.

[Legoate]

Until laws change, routine use of medicinal marijuana would disqualify you for police service for all agencies that I know of.

[oscarmitre]

You might want to discuss - with your doctor - the possibility of OCD as well as anxiety (sometimes they co-exist quite easily) and you may need behavioural therapy and possibly some anti-anxiety/depression medicines. There are some things that we just need help with and that's that.

[Shepherd1991]

You might want to discuss - with your doctor - the possibility of OCD as well as anxiety (sometimes they co-exist quite easily) and you may need behavioural therapy and possibly some anti-anxiety/depression medicines. There are some things that we just need help with and that's that.

Thanks man. I have horrible OCD too. I forgot to mention that. I'm working on it. I got a new therapist and getting on some new meds soon. I'm already on some but I am going to get a change.

Thanks for all your help guys.

I talked to my friend who I used to do Police Ride alongs with and got some cool info too.