\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do you remember the first few minutes before you entered the police academy as a recruit? There were a million thoughts running through your mind. You landed the greatest job in the world and now you are going to get some of the best training ever.\u00a0 You probably thought I am going to be trained on everything from a car stop to recovering evidence at a homicide scene.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to be in the best shape ever by running and lifting weights, learn how use defensive tactics, and learn how to shoot a pistol. It just dawned on you that you are going to be \u201cthat\u201d person who is requesting you to go a 911 to handle anything.\u00a0 Sounds exciting!<\/span><\/p>\n What happens when you have a few years on the job and you come across the \u201cS\u201d word? The \u201cS word I am referring to is Stress. Stress comes in so many different forms for officers.\u00a0 You may find out one day Where is this stress coming from? It\u2019s coming from every single direction. The job is so complex. You want to do a great job but no one wants to get in a jam. You work nights, weekends and overtime. Everyday at work is different.\u00a0 There is no such thing as a routine day.\u00a0 You have bosses you may not see eye to eye with. On top of that, you are probably married or in a serious relationship and the shiftwork puts a burden on family life. You don\u2019t want to miss any of your family functions but you are a zombie when you are there due to lack of sleep.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to disappoint anyone but the tension builds up at home, work and socially.\u00a0 And the kids.\u00a0 The little bundles of joy aren\u2019t always joyous.\u00a0 They are demanding of the time you just don\u2019t have.\u00a0 Whatever happen to a half hour to deprogram when you come home.\u00a0 You are taking your work life home and your home life to work.<\/span><\/p>\n Stress is internalized differently from officer to officer. \u00a0You have to remember you are a human being underneath that uniform.\u00a0 To deal with stress, officers like to rely on each other.\u00a0 The camaraderie and \u201cbrotherhood\u201d allows each of us to talk about the job to relieve stress.\u00a0 This is where our warped sense of humor comes in to deal with the stress as well.\u00a0 Cops tend to trust and rely on other cops especially when dealing with stress.\u00a0 The Thin Blue Line, as it were.\u00a0 Unfortunately, some of us tend to discuss our day at the bar and self medicate.\u00a0 It is easy to do.\u00a0 Hanging out with the guys over a couple of beers or cocktails relieves the stress but only temporarily. The next day the stress is still there and you are faced with a new set of stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n My stress came in the form of anxiety attacks.\u00a0 My breathing and heart rate increased dramatically. Not so much at work, but afterwards.\u00a0 I\u2019ve come to learn that after a stressor is when you feel it.\u00a0 My nervousness increased while at work but I had it under control.\u00a0 I used every coping mechanism I could think of. One day, the stress got unbearable.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0 I had to do something.\u00a0 I took a huge risk. \u00a0I called another officer who I could trust and just explained to him everything that was going on.\u00a0 Instead of blowing it off, that officer took me very serious.\u00a0 So serious, that he suggested something to me that changed my life forever.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He suggested I should seek some professional help.\u00a0 That officer cared so much about another cop he actually physically drove me to the office because I was just so upset.\u00a0 All I kept thinking was how uptight I was because if this got out, my reputation would be on the line.\u00a0 Other cops would think differently of me.\u00a0 What would the bosses think? Can I lose my job? My family?\u00a0 Is this whole episode a sign of weakness? Can I function anymore? Am I broken? \u00a0I was so alone.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the greatest things that could have happen to me was being introduced to a psychologist.\u00a0 Not just any psychologist but an expert in policing.\u00a0 Someone who specializes about the workings of law enforcement.\u00a0 \u00a0Someone who really cares and understands me.\u00a0 Someone I now consider a friend.\u00a0 I have spent a session or two in his office doubled over in pain, seriously on the ground because my stomach was churning so bad.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been visiting with him for 9 months and I am so ever grateful for him sharing his knowledge and skills to help me deal with the \u201cs\u201d word.\u00a0 I learned so much from him and this experience.\u00a0 I learn something new every time I visit.\u00a0 Most importantly, I learned I am human.<\/span><\/p>\n I have learned that there is a major genetic component to my anxiety. \u00a0My mom had gotten so bad she had electroshocks to clean her out.\u00a0 My brother has it, and on down the line.\u00a0 I never thought there was a connection.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I learned my anxiety is a physical disorder.\u00a0 It may be treated by working on my psychology, but it is physical in nature and that is where genetics comes in.\u00a0 I have some unseen physical weakness that makes me prone to anxiety and I have to change my life to avoid it.\u00a0 Like diabetes except you can\u2019t measure it by sticking your finger.<\/span><\/p>\n I learned stress is cumulative.\u00a0 A bunch of little shots to my anxiety level can cause major disruptions to my life.\u00a0 They build up and after years I was screwed.\u00a0 I learned about how to care and understand me.\u00a0 And most importantly, I learned I\u2019m not alone.\u00a0 The psychologist says panic attacks are common in police officers, but cops don\u2019t admit it until they are on the floor in pain.\u00a0 But most important, I learned, and am still learning, to control my panic by disputing my thoughts, my controlling my breathing, by changing the direction of my obsessing, by putting a psychological spin on things, by reading this blog, and a bunch of other strategies I can use to not return to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n And by the way, no one on the job judged me, in fact it has been an open ticket for other officers to discuss their anxiety.\u00a0 I had a boss or two that was a little rough at first, but they backed off.\u00a0 It really is amazing that we are not alone if we are anxious at times.\u00a0 And the minute cops see your weakness, the easier they will admit their own.\u00a0 We are<\/u> human after all!<\/span><\/p>\n There are cops all over the nation just like me but they never call \u201c911\u201d on themselves when they are hurting.\u00a0 Its like our brain doesn\u2019t allow us to look out for ourselves.\u00a0 And sometimes when we do reach out, its too late.\u00a0 Divorce, loss of family, loss of job, alcoholism, bingeing and loss of health are all symptoms of letting something go.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t believe how much more I am appreciating my family life and wife now.\u00a0 I am beyond gratitude for the help I have been given by a police psychologist.\u00a0\u00a0 As cops, we have to know there are resources out their for us.\u00a0 When you get hurt physically at work, the injuries are there.\u00a0 They are in the form of a cast or bandage or crutches.\u00a0 But what happens when the injury is in a place that you can see with a bandage?\u00a0 That\u2019s the most serious injury of all.\u00a0 Please take care of yourselves regardless of where you are hurting.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be a hero to the people you love and trust the most.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Site Editor:\u00a0 Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Please share this article from down below.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Please join the email list on the top of the sidebar and you can get these sent to your email.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Come back regularly for more updated articles on police psychology<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Police Psychology | Getting Off the Floor by an Anonymous Reader \u00a0 Do you remember the first few minutes before you entered the police academy as a recruit? There were a million thoughts running through your mind. You landed the greatest job in the world and now you are going to get some of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17168885],"tags":[17168917,17168797,17168831],"class_list":["post-3100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stress","tag-anxiety-attacks","tag-police-psychology","tag-police-stress"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6005,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=6005","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":0},"title":"Police Psychology: Good Stress: Bad Stress","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"May 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology:\u00a0 Good Stress: Bad Stress by Gary S. Aumiller Ph.D., ABPP \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Resilience"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Resilience","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168882"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4987,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=4987","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":1},"title":"Police Psychology | Symptom Stress","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"December 15, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | Symptom Stress by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D.\u00a0 ABPP Police Psychology has a strong cognitive element. Thoughts are very powerful. They have the ability to shape your reality and create a world that is completely different than anyone else\u2019s. They can provide you with questions and solutions that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Thoughts"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Thoughts","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168878"},"img":{"alt_text":"anxiety, Police Psychology","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/anxiety-275x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5092,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=5092","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":2},"title":"Police Psychology | The Obsessed Mind-Body Connection","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"January 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology | The Obsessed Mind-Body Connection by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Thoughts"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Thoughts","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168878"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6097,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=6097","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":3},"title":"Police Psychology: 27 Symptoms of Anxiety","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"June 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Police Psychology:\u00a0 27 Symptoms of Anxiety \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Site Administrator:\u00a0 Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP Please share this article from down below. Please join the email list on the top of the sidebar and you can get these sent to your email.\u00a0 Also follow me on Twitter (https:\/\/twitter.com\/ThinBlueMind) for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Police Stress"","block_context":{"text":"Police Stress","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168885"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":516,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=516","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":4},"title":"Police Psychology | The Police Psychologist and the BFD","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"July 15, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The Police Psychologist and the BFD \u00a0 Those in police psychology must learn about the BFD. The cops used to use that acronym regularly.\u00a0 Bad F---ing Day.\u00a0 I am not sure what the \u201cF\u201d means in the acronym, but I don\u2019t think it is too nice. (Let's not have a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mastering Emotions"","block_context":{"text":"Mastering Emotions","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17165629"},"img":{"alt_text":"cloud and lightening","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cloud-and-lightening-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":386,"url":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?p=386","url_meta":{"origin":3100,"position":5},"title":"Police Psychology | The Police Candidate Interpretive Report","author":"Gary Aumiller","date":"June 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The Police Candidate Interpretive Report \u00a0 I had one of the first cell phones for public consumption.\u00a0 It fit in a bag.\u00a0 The battery lasted minutes not hours, and it was essentially a car phone that could be moved around.\u00a0 But visions of Dick Tracy\u2019s watch and Agent 86\u2019s shoe\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Tests"","block_context":{"text":"Tests","link":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/?cat=17168877"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p60sbO-O0","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3100"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3130,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3100\/revisions\/3130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"anxiety,](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/anxiety.jpg?resize=215%2C235\")
during a physical exam you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.\u00a0 You may find you can\u2019t sleep at night.\u00a0 You are more irritable and moody than ever before. You are breathing heavily. Your heart rate is through the roof. You are constantly nervous.\u00a0 You worry about everything.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to make a mistake. Everyone is watching your every move.\u00a0 That\u2019s how I ended up on the floor!<\/span><\/p>\n