Self Protection

[Mike]

I accidentally stumbled upon this forum and immediately was drawn to the Real World Combat thread made by Brian Bailey. I've been really getting into overall self-protection after recently starting a job in a really bad area of town. I've read titles by Geoff Thompson and am also studying materials from fellow Canadian Richard Dimitri. Both have helped me somewhat in developing some physical tools, but my main problem is my psychological state during confrontations or potential confrontations.

If I may digress, I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder a few years ago and underwent treatment for it. At the time I was initially prone to panic attacks in public areas or social events, somewhat similar to agoraphobia. To make a long story short, I overcame this and am now functioning properly in social and public settings. Cut to a few months ago when I started working at a local grocery store in a somewhat bad part of town. Behind our store is an open, un-gated, underground parking lot where all of the local crackheads, muggers, hookers and trouble makers hang out. When they feel like it, they come into our store and steal! A few times I've had verbal altercations with some of them.

Now, my panic disorder has come back. I'm always in a constant state of paranoia at work and I'm always worried about these locals starting trouble with me. Nothing physcial has happened yet, but my everlasting state of arousal seems to be taking it's toll on me, both physically and emotionally. Some of them come in looking for trouble in which case I panic and fold up like a chair. The feeling is nothing short of complete terror and there have been times where I've shed tears at night due to my fear. The police have been informed and my boss has made adjustments for me to avoid some of these individuals (i.e. working in the stock room, working during the day). I've gone to see my doctor who gave me some rather terrible advice and is too eager to put me on medication.

I can't live like this the rest of my life. The fear is unbearable at times, but I will not run from this job because I need the funds. No one seems to be of any help to me, it's like they don't understand.

My main concern is that in training I can display decent tools. But when confronted in real life, my body shuts down to the point where I'm as good as dead. Sometimes I can barely move or I have to sit down.

I don't know why I'm posting this, perhaps I'm desperate for answers. But after reading the thread below, I thought maybe I could get some help here.

[Cilian McHugh]

Perhaps you may find this article interesting.

http://www.bujinkan.ie/fighterselfdefence.htm

[Mike]

Nice little read. I've read about some of that stuff on Geoff Thompson's site and in his books The Fence and Dead or Alive.

Thanks for the link though!

[drewa]

Mike, there is hope.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment of panic disorder has one of the highest cure rates of all the psychological disorders. Sounds like you were successfully treated in the past- I would suggest another course of treatment, even if this latest bout was triggered by a different set of circumstances.

I could try to track down the name of someone in your area that uses this approach if you'd like, since your doc didn't seem to be any help.

[Mike]

I could try to track down the name of someone in your area that uses this approach if you'd like, since your doc didn't seem to be any help.

That would be great! My doc put me on the waiting list back when I first saw him. Unfortunately, the list is quite long. I've been on it for close to 3 years!

[Ruairi Quinn]

"Mike"]Nice little read. I've read about some of that stuff on Geoff Thompson's site and in his books The Fence and Dead or Alive.

Thanks for the link though!

This isn't directly aimed at Mike, but:-

It's worth noting that having read or have heard of ideas relating to awareness / boundary setting / de-escalation skills does not mean you have internalised these concepts and are actually applying them.

I think a lot of people categorise this kind of material as the 'quick' stuff they do before the 'real' training begins, giving it a quick read-through and leaving it at that. This impression has been reinforced in my mind by recent exchanges with trainers who argue that this material can't be taught effectively, and who dedicate less than an hour of their time to covering this area (in comparison with unlimited mat-time for the rest of their syllabus). :evil:

This is pretty much ananthema to how I feel about this material. It's not just enough to analytically understand why all of these areas of self-defence and preparation are relevant and important, or to have heard/read about them; you have to actually practice, employ and refine them through usage. This can mean scenario-based training with a friend or training group initially. But then actually using them to one degree or another in your daily life: if you don't use the skills you are trying to ingrain then you lose them.

R

[Scott Sonnon]

Mike,

I hear you saying you find your situation overwhelming and without resolution from your doctor. However, no suggestions, guidance or shared experience supplants your doctor's. Furthermore, clear any online guidance with your doctor personally before implementing.

Have you read Body-Flow: Freedom From Fear-Reactivity (http://www.rmax.tv/bodyflow.html)? If you have, then how does your understanding of the book's content reflect upon your comment below: My main concern is that in training I can display decent tools. But when confronted in real life, my body shuts down to the point where I'm as good as dead. Sometimes I can barely move or I have to sit down.

[Mike]

Mike,
Have you read Body-Flow™: Freedom From Fear-Reactivity (http://www.rmax.tv/Body-Flow™.html)? If you have, then how does your understanding of the book's content reflect upon your comment below: My main concern is that in training I can display decent tools. But when confronted in real life, my body shuts down to the point where I'm as good as dead. Sometimes I can barely move or I have to sit down.

I haven't read Body Flow yet Scott. The problem with my doctor is that he's only my General Praticitioner. He told me to quit my job at first because "someone like me isn't suited for that kind of work environment!" I listened, but I take everything he says pertaining to the matter with a grain of salt because he is my GP not a mental healthcare worker. The first time I was diagnosed, I worked through it on my own and was aided with medication. Even now, I still suffer some residual effects. But in the case of the new stimuli causing me panic, the effects are FAR MORE severe. The techniques I tried before have no effect. I'm not sure if it's a lack of confidence in my physical abilities or if it's purely my cognitive processes!
There are HUGE waiting lists to get into the psychology clinics here and all Psychiatrists are privatized and aren't taking new patients.

I was looking at body flow and some of the stuff on rmax! It all looks quite interesting!

[drewa]

Mike, check out this link. It lists members of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy who see patients in any given area. You can click on "anxiety" and search for B.C.:

https://aabt.org/members/Directory/Clinical_Directory.cfm

All of these folks should have a good background in cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety.

Also, UBC Hospital has an anxiety disorders treatment unit that has a good reputation, and the UBC Clinical Psychology program has some people who treat anxiety disorders. They should be listed in the directory above.

I don't know about insurance in Canada, but this should be a start. Let me know if you have any questions or need any more help.

[Scott Sonnon]

You obviously display the motivation and courage to affect changes in your life. However, if you suffer chemical imbalance, Body-Flow™ may be helpful, but may be too conservative an exclusive aid to you without appropriate health care. If you experience the situation with the severity you describe, then make your first step on finding professional health care, regardless of any obstacles you may encounter in doing so.

I realize you seek help and guidance. Perhaps other members here can refer you to relevant mental health care resources local to you. However, this forum is not an appropriate medium for the intensity of this issue. The people offering suggestions may not be mental health care professionals; moreover even if they are, they are not intimately acquainted with you as a patient.

[Mike]

Thanks for the link Drewa! I sent some e-mails to some contacts on that site. Scott, I'm definitely thinking about getting Body-Flow! I mean, it can't hurt me right, so I might as well try it! This quote from another thread makes me think that your writings may help me somewhat. I mean, I'm looking towards making behavioral changes when addressing perceived threats. In fact, it is how I'm percieving these threats or potential threats which causes me the most grief. Which material would you suggest I look into. Of course I would use this in conjunction with my cognitive therapy.

"Coach Sonnon's Shock-Ability™ course conditions the central nervous system to diminish adverse affects of emotional arousal in combative engagements. The course intends to produce a behavioral change in addressing perceived threats. However the course does require practice as with anything."