relaxing the somewhat new gun owner

[Duality]

I've been having anxiety and panic attacks almost on a daily basis lately. First off thought I was having a heart attack and went through all sorts of tests and found out i'm perfectly healthy. Thats when we decided my 100bpm heart rate and overall short breaths and feeling of fright and being tense were caused by anxiety and panic.

well, that was 3 weeks ago, and just last night it occured to me this all started about the same time I started carrying/buying guns. Last night we were doing a shooting class, and just prior to it, the symptoms started again so that kinda firmed up my thought of its cause.

So my question is, anybody else go through this when they first started carrying weapons? Maybe emotionally I'm not just sure of myself yet. Either way it needs to be dealt with.

I'd also love to know how you dealt with it if you experienced any sort of anxiety like me.

thanks!

[Antman]

Go to the range and shoot 10 boxes of ammo. :sifone:

Cures most of my worries.:)

[jperez]

dont shoot at peoples feet..... it gives them anxiety attacks too....

[mingoglia]

thanks!

I have some problems with anxiety. It usually is triggered by temperature, smoke, or some other random thing. It really sucked and luckily I found a "cure" before I got into Jeeping. I've spent my whole life on quads and I'd be out in the middle of nowhere and start to have an anxiety attack. My solution back then was to just start riding hard and fast and adrenalin or perhaps I just distracted myself enough to temporarily "solve" the problem. With the Jeep if I were to have an anxiety problem I obviously couldn't go 70mph sideways through box canyon to help aleviate the problem. ;)

Anyway, I have one of those small waterproof pill containers I keep on each of my keychains. I always have them with me and each one has a few Xanax tablets in it. The funny thing about anxiety since it's in your (and my) head is just knowing I have the tablets prevents the anxiety. I've never actually taken a Xanax for anxiety (I take them every now and then if I fly international to help me sleep). If I'm in the middle of nowhere and I feel an anxiety attack come on I just think about how I have the Xanax and it goes away. Perhaps something similiar would work for you?

Mike

[Duality]

that's definitely worth a shot.

I am very anti drug, and only use homeopathic remedies, so I might be tempted to ignore the zannies, but who knows.

[jperez]

honestly though, you ever try yoga? i do it everyday. it calms you down and gives a great workout.... i know you live at the artisian lofts.... try that "Breathe" place on 3rd street and garfield i think it is.... or the Y downtown even has yoga classes....

[John_P]

Anyway, I have one of those small waterproof pill containers I keep on each of my keychains. I always have them with me and each one has a few Xanax tablets in it. The funny thing about anxiety since it's in your (and my) head is just knowing I have the tablets prevents the anxiety.

Mike

Anxiety is not "in your head". Anxiety or arousal, is a physical reaction. Think of a "fight or flight" response...increased heart-rate, breathing, dilated pupils..etc...

"Worry" is another component...the part that resides in your head.

"Panic" is usually a function of worrying about these ill-timed bodily reactions...producing increased bodily reactions as one searches for a cause...i.e. heart-attack, fear of death, impending doom...etc...

Anyhow...anxiety is more than in your head.

"Knowing is half the battle"
-G.I. Joe

[mingoglia]

Anxiety is not "in your head". Anxiety or arousal, is a physical reaction. Think of a "fight or flight" response...increased heart-rate, breathing, dilated pupils..etc...

"Worry" is another component...the part that resides in your head.

"Panic" is usually a function of worrying about these ill-timed bodily reactions...producing increased bodily reactions as one searches for a cause...i.e. heart-attack, fear of death, impending doom...etc...

Anyhow...anxiety is more than in your head.

"Knowing is half the battle"
-G.I. Joe

Holy semantics Batman...

[jperez]

Anxiety is not "in your head". Anxiety or arousal, is a physical reaction. Think of a "fight or flight" response...increased heart-rate, breathing, dilated pupils..etc...

"Worry" is another component...the part that resides in your head.

"Panic" is usually a function of worrying about these ill-timed bodily reactions...producing increased bodily reactions as one searches for a cause...i.e. heart-attack, fear of death, impending doom...etc...

Anyhow...anxiety is more than in your head.

"Knowing is half the battle"
-G.I. Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbE8ac9vR0

here anxiety is for everyone... just check out the kid in the beginning!

GI JOOOOOOOOOOOOE

[Stu Olson]

I didn't experience the anxiety or panic feeling but I thought long and hard for a while regarding carrying and the responsibilities of doing so.

If you want some professional training, shoot me a PM. I've got a couple of Front Sight course certificates that I'll part with for a reasonable price. Their 4 day defensive handgun course is nothing short of awesome, IMO. You will walk out a changed person. :)

Edit: The certs are also good for tactical shotgun and rifle courses as well.

[AZG23]

everyone looking at you..?? They can all see the weapon..?? Not sure you will be able to use it...??

Get some training...practice..and comfort will come..

[Moriarty]

I would take Stu up on the tactical class certificates. As Brad also said,
the only cure will be to become comfortable carrying. I was uncomfortable carrying until I took some tactical classes. I see it as part of the transformation from possible victim to possible defender. The gun is only a tool. Until you become a skilled craftsman with it, you will feel unsure of yourself just like I feel unsure about myself when I look at my collection of tools, then look at the CJ, look at the tools, look at the CJ then comes the anxiety over the fact I am not more mechanically inclined. Then I call Joe at
AO, make an appt, and instantly feel better. Then I look at my CJ, then look at my wallet, look at the CJ, then look at my wallet. :banghead::aagh:

You may consider not carrying your gun for a few until you get some courses under your belt. I fear inexperienced CCW holders about as much as I fear drunk drivers.

[ROKCRLR]

I didn't experience the anxiety or panic feeling but I thought long and hard for a while regarding carrying and the responsibilities of doing so.

If you want some professional training, shoot me a PM. I've got a couple of Front Sight course certificates that I'll part with for a reasonable price. Their 4 day defensive handgun course is nothing short of awesome, IMO. You will walk out a changed person. :)

Edit: The certs are also good for tactical shotgun and rifle courses as well.

I've heard great things about that 4 day course, but holy crap is it expensive.

[AZG23]

also consider Suarez International for firearms training...Ive taken training from Gabe that has dramatically changed my carry, tactics, and preparedness.

www.warriortalk.com

[ROKCRLR]

also consider Suarez International for firearms training...Ive taken training from Gabe that has dramatically changed my carry, tactics, and preparedness.

www.warriortalk.com

Thanks for the info bro. Lots of good info.

[AZG23]

Thanks for the info bro. Lots of good info.


no problem...just dont use it against me ;)

LOL...Gabe is very straightforward and to the point...he doesnt fluff around with teaching things that wont work..

He isnt stuck in a training curriculum rut like alot of schools are...he adapts, and if a new process comes up, they hash it out in class and prove/disprove it using Airsoft and force on force...Gabe was one of the 1st to incorporate Airsoft Force on Force for everyday people.

I learned ALOT from him, and will be going back when the $$ affords it..

[TRobertsRN]

I've been having anxiety and panic attacks almost on a daily basis lately. First off thought I was having a heart attack and went through all sorts of tests and found out i'm perfectly healthy. Thats when we decided my 100bpm heart rate and overall short breaths and feeling of fright and being tense were caused by anxiety and panic.

When you say "we" do you mean you and your doctor? Which tests did you have done?

I ask because I had something very similar happen to me years ago. Heart beating fast, fear, short of breath, panic. With further tests years later it did turn out to be my heart.

Did not have to do with guns but with the work I did as an ICU Nurse. A stressful job but I had done it for many years. I was know for my calmness in crisis before this happened. I would get these attacks on the way to work or during work and no other time. I got everything checked out including the heart and head in general, Nothing was found. Thing is none of the tests were conducted during a panic attack with the high heart rate. This caused me to leave Nursing for a few years.

Did you wear a heart monitor for 24 hours or more and did it record during one of these panic attacks?

What was happening to me (and did not show in the initial tests) was I was going in and out of Atrial Fibulation with a rapid ventricular response. Basicly a problem had developed in the top of my heart (atria) making it beat over 200 times a minute and resultting in the bottom of the heart (Ventricles)beating too fast (150-200) given the activity at the time.

Many things in the body work on a feedback system. Stress and panic can cause a fast heart rate, and a fast heart rate can cause the panic also. With me the stress of the job got the heart up a little, the heart was over reacting and beating so fast my blood pressure dropped a bit, the brain then started to panic sending a message to the heart to beat faster to get the pressure up all making for one scared individual.

How I finally found out the cause was that the A-Fib became almost constant and I got it fixed.

I have now returned to working as a Nurse.

You may have already worn the "24 hour heart monitor" but unless it was on during an attack would not show A-Fib as a possible cause.

Tom

[Duality]

yeah my heart is not beating that fast.

I'm like 100-120 during the attacks. At rest in the high 80's.

The tests we did were a VAP (detailed blood test that measures pretty much all of it,) EKG, 24 hour holter, and finally two well qualified doctors telling me after talking to me for 5 minutes that I am anxious and having panic attacks. They both saw no need for any further tests at all, and wrote it down as panic.

Good example, I read your post, and immediately my heart started racing, and I started thinking "maybe I'm having that problem he is talking about. Oh, **** I should get that checked," then as I wrote all my tests down, I calmed back down. It's been like a roller coaster, and I really think the guns play a big part in it.

[Digger]

When I was 19, a friend (son of a police officer) introduced me to fire arms. He taught me everything, and I was comfortable and confident. Later on in years, I would go out with new friends and target shoot, I experienced reactions like you, because I didn't feel comfortable with the way they handled firearms. Young people tend to worry about being judged, and them being "hotdogs" would comment on my techniques, this would make me tense and feel like I didn't fit in with the group. One of the guys was in the military and bragged how good he was with firearms, I got to witness him shooting one of his fingers off when he was teaching his wife to shoot, go figure.
Well what I am saying is, you need to practice without the influence of others around you. Be aware of how you feel when you take aim, you need to breath normal and don't worry about how good you are yet. Some one suggested yoga, this might help. Just don't judge yourself yet, it's like anything else new in one's life, ...it takes time, practice, and experience to move up the ladder. :) just my thoughts,

[Duality]

yeah, Roberts. Further touching on that, I just talked to my dad on the phone for 15 minutes and ALL symptoms went away. It wouldn't work like that if it were a physical problem. Its all chemical in my case. Thanks for the scare though. LOL

[TRobertsRN]

yeah, Roberts. Further touching on that, I just talked to my dad on the phone for 15 minutes and ALL symptoms went away. It wouldn't work like that if it were a physical problem. Its all chemical in my case. Thanks for the scare though. LOL


Glad to hear you had all the proper tests to rule out someting with the heart.

Yoga was suggested and I agree with that, Ti Chi and the breathing exercises of same can be helpfull too.

Sometimes when the heart beats fast a strong cough or bearing down for a few seconds like you are taking a dump can help.

[Duality]

Lol

[Bilt4Comfort]

Best therapy for your problem is more rounds down range. The next best thing is to become intimate with your weapon. I'm heading out to the garage right now to stroke several of mine with some Hopps#9 and CLP Breakfree. If those two practices don't calm you down...get rid of the guns.

[Digger]

Hey Dual, maybe it's best to put the firearms away. Think of them as an investment, you will always get your money for them or more in the future. There are other defense weapons available, I really dig the heck out of those stars. Hey guns aren't for everyone, it might be you are sensitive to loud noises.

[jperez]

btw duality... i can teach you tai chi if you'd like. if our schedules dont work i know my instructor has classes in the park every weekend for free! my wife teaches yoga too sooo.... no excuses! : )

[Stu Olson]

I've heard great things about that 4 day course, but holy crap is it expensive.
Not when you know someone with a few course certificates that can be had for a fraction of the normal cost. ;)


Did I mention I would know such a person? :)

[jperez]

Not when you know someone with a few course certificates that can be had for a fraction of the normal cost. ;)


Did I mention I would know such a person? :)

As do I !
not sure if its the same guy ... but...he's a member here on the forum!

[ROKCRLR]

Not when you know someone with a few course certificates that can be had for a fraction of the normal cost. ;)


Did I mention I would know such a person? :)

All right Stu, I gotta know, what fraction?

[desertgeezer]

Get yourself a good carry holster. I prefer an "inside the pant" holster because I think they conceal better and because your arm doesn't brush against it when you walk. Put the gun (unloaded of course) in the holster and wear it around the house until you are accustom to the feeling. Then wear it on short trips to the store or whatever. Before long it will feel so natural that you will feel naked without it.

[AZdezertgirl]

? ive seen you out shooting. you do get a little crazy.. never realized it was more than just being excited..

hope u find something that works for you.

[Stu Olson]

All right Stu, I gotta know, what fraction?

1/4 works for me.