- Banned
- #21
my anxiety is much different. I don't fear for my life or safety or feel like i could get hurt. I just feel uncomfortable around strangers and i have no idea why. i know they are doing nothing to me, but for some reason i get panic attacks.Because there are things I need to do that involves being around crowds, e.g. working, going out with friends ( i like spending time with people i know, but not random crowds)
I want to be able to handle crowds, and not get angry and anxious. Otherwise my life will just be me being stuck in my room 24/7 and isolated from the outside world
I'm a war vet, I've seen the aftermath of what it looks like when Achmed wanders into a crowd, shouts "Aloha Snackbar!" just before detonation. Something like that will make you less than comfortable in crowds. I deal with the anxiety and carry a .45 ACP as an illusion of security.
If you have a problem like this without having suffered such trauma, you probably need psychological help.
I would have told you that after seeing your first 6 thread posts also.
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been on 8 different medications, including antidepressants and anti anxiety meds. will look into therapy with a psychologist soon
Pete may be on to something, because it is the first thing I thought of.
Believe it of not, it is a somewhat common problem for returning veterans. Discomfort (anxiety) and irritability in crowds can stem from several issues and you may want to find someone to discuss the matter with on a more personal level. It's important to remember that what you are suffering is most likely the product of a natural response, but simply accented in your case.
Try to think of the matter in a "control" sense. If your job requires you work with crowds, and at the same time requires you manage how you are represented in that crowd, the more people you add to the crowd, the less control you have. As control diminishes, anxiety increases. As anxiety increases, judgment is influenced, and defense mechanisms kick in.
A common defense mechanism (although it varies in degrees), is "fight or flight". If the crowd makes you feel "boxed in", or your job and/or purpose for being in the crowd requires you to stay (you could just be with friends who don't want to leave), then your "flight" response is negated. That leaves "fight", or at the least "hostility". Once fight or hostility kicks in, your judgment goes to crap, because you are trying to manage internally perceived threats (you don't even have to consciously recognize) that may not even be there (outside of what you are thinking about others).
Good News: If you are young, there's a 50% chance it will get better with more experience, as you recognize how to address specific concerns and let some things slide (it's still going to have to be a conscience effort for a little while).
Bad News: For those who cannot develop the ability to more productively manage the encounters, the best treatment for the symptoms is illegal in most states (marijuana). I'm not saying you have to be an "all bent stoner", but a hit will reduce anxiety, feelings of hostility, and immediate desire for conflict fairly effectively. It's worked with veterans, but still isn't an approved treatment.
Before you spend a lot of money on a private physician, try talking to someone in a local veteran's support group, for better options. You don't have to be a veteran, and they may have better material for helping you understand the problem and options. Or they may just be able to point you towards a physician that has more experience treating your specific concern. It is a common problem.
My experience with pot is that it can increase paranoia, so I don't know if that's a great solution. It's still probably better than any prescribed drug available though.
It helps when you maintain awareness of people around you, keep cognizant of exits, fire extinguishers, where security guards are and I carry a .45.