Foo - Anthrophobia and the intense cop.

I just got back home from a local convenience store to pick up a few items. There were tonnes of people there for some reason. I'm still nervous 20 minutes later. You see, sometimes being around crowds of people makes me feel strange. I shake nervously and my mind feels cloudy. This happens more than 50% of the time. Though, I'm usually ok interacting with small groups of people or individuals. This has been a problem for me for many years, and I really never give it much thought other chocking it up to me being a scared little boy. :( I googled "fear of people" and it produced the word "anthrophobia". Wow, this is actually viewed as a condition. I can't believe it. I found a site that had a free test on the subject. My results stated that I had a severe case. Wowee. All I know is that I hate feeling this way. Have any of you had this problem? If so, how have you dealt with it?

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/sad.gif

New Years Eve - I left my girlfriend's house and headed home. I saw the bright blue light pollution in the sky. I knew what it was instantly. It's roadblock time! Good times for all! I pull up to the officer, and the strobe lights are making me feel anxious. The cop asks me to produce my license and I comply.

:mad: - Cop
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - Me

:mad: - Have you had anything to drink tonight?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - No sir, I don't touch the stuff.
:mad: - Why are you so nervous?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - I don't know so, I have bad nerves I suppose.
:mad: - Bad nerves, huh? What are you sitting on over there?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - Excuse me sir?

:mad: - What are you sitting on over there?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - My wallet sir. (I didn't know what the hell he was trying to ask me. Oh, and the wallet was in my lap at the time. I was so nervous, I'd forgotten that I'd pulled it out to give the guy my license.)
:mad: - Your wallet?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - ...
:mad: - Mr. Roscoe, do you have any marijuana in the vehicle?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - No sir, I don't use any narcotics. You can search my car if you'd like.
:mad: - Are you sure you don't have any pills in the vehicle? Have you taken any pills?
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif - No sir. I'm not a drug user.
:mad: - I'm going to search your vehicle, pull over to the side of the road and step out of the vehicle.
The guy lifts my floor mat and finds nothing. He then shines his light in the back of the car.
:mad: - What's that on the floor?

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif It appears to be a piece of granite from my driveway, sir.
:mad: - Granite huh? Well ok. Have a good new years.
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s290/croscoe/smilies/pacman.gif Yes sir, you have a good one yourself. Be safe.
:mad: - (pats me on the back, wtf?)I get back in my car and drive off.

Phew. That was intense. He was so sure that I was either on some sort of drug or carrying drugs all while I'm freaking out over the confrontation itself.

Thanks for reading. I'm not much of a writer or story-teller, but wanted to share.

I always am nervous when the 5-0 pulls me over.

But for you? Maybe you should try some herb to calm the nerves. Just kidding, self medicating a problem can become addictive. Nothing a few meds and some cognitive therapy wont fix though. I will pm you a good forum if you want.

Hi. Yeah, I wouldn't mind checking that out.

It's a strange thing for me. I feel really good when I can go into public and feel normal.

pm sent

Yes, some cognitive therapy would help a lot.

Let us know how it turns out for you.

East Hill

I sort of had a problem with crowds when I was younger, but playing a lot of pretty physical team sports remedied that. Obviously that's probably not relevant to your situation, but I do think I can give you some useful pointers for dealing with police. I know several cops.

The main thing about cops and how not to get nervous when you run into them is to remember that they are there to serve you. Without your tax money, they don't have jobs. The government is here to serve the people, not to scare us, or boss us around. They carry guns and try to look scary, but they are still merely people hired to serve you, the law abiding citizen. Don't let their attitude or dress intimidate you. It also might benefit you to stop calling cops "sir". You owe no cop who pulls you over any sign of great respect, especially at a damn road block. (wow it's nice not to have those in Michigan!) He or she can call you sir, but there is no reason to give it back, unless maybe you were caught doing some horrendous speeding, and you're trying to suck up.

I suggest next time, rather than be intimidated, try to take charge. Never just let a cop search you or your property. It's your right to deny searches, so use it. If you act all nervous they can say it looks like you are high and maybe search you anyway, but it still might benefit your nervousness to try to take charge.

http://checkpointusa.org/blog/index.php/2008/01/09/p79

I'd suggest downloading this video to see if you can get some inspiration from it.

I respect the necessity of cops but I am suspicious of the kind
of person that would want to do that job. I excel in talking my way
out of tickets.

My father suffered from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia

It was a brutal experience for him to go near a mall, heck even living in the city.

Best of luck, it is sometimes not easy to overcome but it is possible.

A piece of granite from your driveway? Not a slab, I hope! :D

I have a little bit of the nervous-in-crowds crowds thing. I was worse when I was younger. I got desensitized in Europe. Those people have NO sense of personal space. :D

My father suffered from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia

It was a brutal experience for him to go near a mall, heck even living in the city.

Best of luck, it is sometimes not easy to overcome but it is possible.

I suffered from agoraphobia through most of my youth. Could not go to a mall or grocery store or any place with people and no immediate escape. I would start sweating, shaking and panicking to the point that I almost passed out. It was hell. I wouldn't leave the house unless absolutely necessary.

Went to a lot of doctors and years of therapy and different medications. I can actually function around people now but it took a lot of work.

Hope you can get the help that you're looking for.

That's a bummer experience. :(

I feel for your fear of crowds.....I have something similar, though probably not bad enough for diagnosis. Mine isn't fear as much as it is anger. I get instantly annoyed and angry when I'm in crowded places. Crowd mentality, people stepping in front of me when I'm trying to walk and things like that....I get on the verge of yelling at people.

I tend to dislike large crowds in most situations... it's not really limiting for me, other than I prefer to avoid non-grocery stores during Christmas shopping, and I don't like to go to the movies...

It's gotten better over time... parties used to be pretty hard on me... I'd end up hanging out along the edges, avoiding the crowds... I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be!

Anthropophobia--is the correct spelling for the fear of humans and crowds.

Anthophobia--is the fear of flowers.

I do not know the word for the fear of police with military/bull dog attitudes, but I share that fear.

Anthropophobia--is the correct spelling for the fear of humans and crowds.

Anthophobia--is the fear of flowers.

Anthroalphobia--Fear of AllenG

Yes, some cognitive therapy would help a lot.

Let us know how it turns out for you.

East Hill

That and Xanax

Anthroalphobia--Fear of AllenG

Much better sounding than dweeb-o-phobia, thanks.

Much better sounding than dweeb-o-phobia, thanks.

dweeb-o-phobia is just the common slang term. ;) :p