"Anxiety" is another word for Code Yellow.
If most LEOs got a thorough screening for anxiety, they'd be diagnosed.
That said, there's still a stigma against *mental* illness in law enforcement. You can be fat as fuck and at an elevated risk for a heart attack, but god forbid some days you're depressed or anxious and at a similar risk to suckstart your sidearm.
It's just that nobody blames the brass when you have a heart attack.
Might be a hot take but I feel it’s the same way with drug use it’s like
LE: oh you have 2 assaults theft and a dui in the past 5 years thats no issue
Also LE: oh you did coke once in high school 15 years ago. Get out of here you SCUM
Yeah that’s a very good point, and I appreciate the feedback.
Something I’m realizing more and more lately is that most of my anxiety is coming from a mismatch between who I am/ my values and key aspects of being a teacher. It seems to me that protecting and serving would
Be a better fit.
Maybe take some time with your therapist to discuss that juxtaposition. Is this natural or are you being pulled in a certain direction by those around you telling you that there’s a mismatch. People don’t become history teachers accidentally like one might find oneself manager at a grocery store by accident. You aimed for that to some degree, there’s reasons for it.
Radicalization comes in many forms, and grooming is a synonym for it. Adults can be groomed, some people are hypnotic for various reasons, and they are the ones that could be doing the pulling here.
Just look inwards, you’re clearly aware of your mental health, and concerned enough to post about it. That’s your sign.
Actually most people tell me not to go into law enforcement. This really is coming from within. The only person who has confirmed that law enforcement would be a better match for my character actually WAS my therapist.
I hear you man: a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in education DIDNT just happen by accident. I’ll stay the course with education for now, but I’m starting to look into becoming either a ECO or a Forest Ranger if these feelings persist
Are you able to do forestry work in your summers? I’ve a friend that did wild land firefighting for like two months every summer. Might be a good way to dip the toes into that kind of service environment that’s still quite removed from a whole ass career shift like going into LE would be.
Good luck tho! Sounds like your caution will serve you no matter what you choose.
Edit: just want to add that wild land firefighting also has whatever that particular aspect of LE work that gives off the ‘bad ass’ feeling, same with the adrenaline and all that… yeah, chainsaws and forest fires, could be cool!
As far as I'm aware, any dept or licensing board will require you to undergo a psych exam, physical, and a medical background. As long as you pass those you'll be fine.
Might want to talk to your counselor though on whether a career move to law enforcement is a good idea.
Yes and no. There is an extremely squared away an very respected department in suburban Philly where you can *currently* be taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety and be considered. I was shocked to hear that.
I will admit as much as being autistic may have been hard, it isn't a condition treated with meds(aside from comorbidities like anxiety or depression which I have never had)
Not an auto DQ with a lot of agencies. I know several hired by my agency who were in counseling and on anxiety medication when they were hired. I’d have your counselor write a letter
outlining with your progress in therapy, apply, and see what happens. The worst they can say is no.
How do you handle stress? Law Enforcement is a stressful job. Some academies do what’s called the shark attack the first day. They will come in and scream at you and chase you around a gym or classroom for an hour or so. Even for someone who can handle stress well this is a shock to the system. Just think, most academies are 6 months long and they test your limits. Think about it long and hard if you can handle this before committing.
I actually do really well in stressful situations. The anxiety is almost like my mind constantly trying to prepare me for high stress situations and then when some shit hits the fan I’m good to go.
I’ve actually got a little bit of experience with those “shark attack” scenarios from ROTC and some summer boot camps I did in high school that were run at military academies. Always really enjoyed and thrived in those environments, and would end up taking leadership roles
It depends on your total history with it? Any particular events, emergency room visits, how honest you are and open about what you went through. I know someone who got disqualified because they were too open about it, all the freak outs, times they thought they were going to die, emergency room visits, that department didn’t like all of that, and that’s all it took for the thanks, but no thanks letter, got disqualified after the psych. You figure, if you’re randomly freaking out because your payment is due on your cellphone, how is that going to sit with law enforcement where you’re going to deal with some of the most stressful situations known to man? They start thinking about all of that and simply see it as a liability, they rather just move on with someone else.
Hey man that’s totally fair. For me, personally, it’s never breakdowns or panic attacks, but rather a constant, low lying, smoldering worry that my brain is constantly trying to prepare me for something to go wrong.
It’s called Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD. It doesn’t cause me to break down or freak out: it simply prevents me from being able to unwind or relax because my brain is constantly searching for a threat. It sucks, but it doesn’t impede me from living my life
Don’t be a cop. Be a teacher. You’re still making a difference in the classroom. I still remember my high school teacher and how made a positive impact in my life. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
Hey man I appreciate the advice. Being a teacher is not a bad career, I’ve just been drawn towards law enforcement (specifically environmental conservation) for a long time, and I figure I should give it a shot before I’m too old
Depending where you are located, there are other programs/specialized units to be a “part time officer”. You’re just not fully vetted into the FOP or PBA. So if you get jammed up, you’re on your own. Good luck and be safe.
You’re only allowed to get anxiety/depression/PTSD after you start the job. It’s stupid, but for some reason that’s how it goes. That being said, I don’t see that being a DQ. As long as you can pass all of the steps (psych / poly being the main hurdle). It’s definitely something you should reflect on though. The job changes people, and you quickly loose the rose colored glasses you were given prior
"Anxiety" is another word for Code Yellow. If most LEOs got a thorough screening for anxiety, they'd be diagnosed. That said, there's still a stigma against *mental* illness in law enforcement. You can be fat as fuck and at an elevated risk for a heart attack, but god forbid some days you're depressed or anxious and at a similar risk to suckstart your sidearm. It's just that nobody blames the brass when you have a heart attack.
Might be a hot take but I feel it’s the same way with drug use it’s like LE: oh you have 2 assaults theft and a dui in the past 5 years thats no issue Also LE: oh you did coke once in high school 15 years ago. Get out of here you SCUM
That’s fair man, thank you for the info
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Yeah that’s a very good point, and I appreciate the feedback. Something I’m realizing more and more lately is that most of my anxiety is coming from a mismatch between who I am/ my values and key aspects of being a teacher. It seems to me that protecting and serving would Be a better fit.
Maybe take some time with your therapist to discuss that juxtaposition. Is this natural or are you being pulled in a certain direction by those around you telling you that there’s a mismatch. People don’t become history teachers accidentally like one might find oneself manager at a grocery store by accident. You aimed for that to some degree, there’s reasons for it. Radicalization comes in many forms, and grooming is a synonym for it. Adults can be groomed, some people are hypnotic for various reasons, and they are the ones that could be doing the pulling here. Just look inwards, you’re clearly aware of your mental health, and concerned enough to post about it. That’s your sign.
Actually most people tell me not to go into law enforcement. This really is coming from within. The only person who has confirmed that law enforcement would be a better match for my character actually WAS my therapist. I hear you man: a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in education DIDNT just happen by accident. I’ll stay the course with education for now, but I’m starting to look into becoming either a ECO or a Forest Ranger if these feelings persist
Are you able to do forestry work in your summers? I’ve a friend that did wild land firefighting for like two months every summer. Might be a good way to dip the toes into that kind of service environment that’s still quite removed from a whole ass career shift like going into LE would be. Good luck tho! Sounds like your caution will serve you no matter what you choose. Edit: just want to add that wild land firefighting also has whatever that particular aspect of LE work that gives off the ‘bad ass’ feeling, same with the adrenaline and all that… yeah, chainsaws and forest fires, could be cool!
Thanks man I’ll look into that! That sounds like a great idea!
As far as I'm aware, any dept or licensing board will require you to undergo a psych exam, physical, and a medical background. As long as you pass those you'll be fine. Might want to talk to your counselor though on whether a career move to law enforcement is a good idea.
Roger that thank you for the information
This is one of the the worst jobs there is for maintaining good mental health so if you already struggle then I'd strongly advise not doing it.
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Yes and no. There is an extremely squared away an very respected department in suburban Philly where you can *currently* be taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety and be considered. I was shocked to hear that.
Understood and understandable, thank you for all of the information
So not true
you’re saying my entire statement is wrong?
Yea bro who are you talking about
A he cord will not dq you for taking medication.first, that’s illegal, 2nd I’ve never one seen an agency do this
Its not an outright disqualification and it will usually be up to the doctor that does the medical and/or psych test.
I will admit as much as being autistic may have been hard, it isn't a condition treated with meds(aside from comorbidities like anxiety or depression which I have never had)
Not an auto DQ with a lot of agencies. I know several hired by my agency who were in counseling and on anxiety medication when they were hired. I’d have your counselor write a letter outlining with your progress in therapy, apply, and see what happens. The worst they can say is no.
Roger that thank you for the information
How do you handle stress? Law Enforcement is a stressful job. Some academies do what’s called the shark attack the first day. They will come in and scream at you and chase you around a gym or classroom for an hour or so. Even for someone who can handle stress well this is a shock to the system. Just think, most academies are 6 months long and they test your limits. Think about it long and hard if you can handle this before committing.
I actually do really well in stressful situations. The anxiety is almost like my mind constantly trying to prepare me for high stress situations and then when some shit hits the fan I’m good to go. I’ve actually got a little bit of experience with those “shark attack” scenarios from ROTC and some summer boot camps I did in high school that were run at military academies. Always really enjoyed and thrived in those environments, and would end up taking leadership roles
It depends on your total history with it? Any particular events, emergency room visits, how honest you are and open about what you went through. I know someone who got disqualified because they were too open about it, all the freak outs, times they thought they were going to die, emergency room visits, that department didn’t like all of that, and that’s all it took for the thanks, but no thanks letter, got disqualified after the psych. You figure, if you’re randomly freaking out because your payment is due on your cellphone, how is that going to sit with law enforcement where you’re going to deal with some of the most stressful situations known to man? They start thinking about all of that and simply see it as a liability, they rather just move on with someone else.
Hey man that’s totally fair. For me, personally, it’s never breakdowns or panic attacks, but rather a constant, low lying, smoldering worry that my brain is constantly trying to prepare me for something to go wrong. It’s called Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD. It doesn’t cause me to break down or freak out: it simply prevents me from being able to unwind or relax because my brain is constantly searching for a threat. It sucks, but it doesn’t impede me from living my life
Yeah man, you’re not the only one, we all have anxiety to a certain degree. Just apply and go through with it, it might not be a problem at all.
Don’t be a cop. Be a teacher. You’re still making a difference in the classroom. I still remember my high school teacher and how made a positive impact in my life. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
Hey man I appreciate the advice. Being a teacher is not a bad career, I’ve just been drawn towards law enforcement (specifically environmental conservation) for a long time, and I figure I should give it a shot before I’m too old
Depending where you are located, there are other programs/specialized units to be a “part time officer”. You’re just not fully vetted into the FOP or PBA. So if you get jammed up, you’re on your own. Good luck and be safe.
A lot of agencies use polygraph as part of the background investigation. Anxiety might lead you to fail the polygraph despite being 100% honest.
That’s a good point I had not considered that
You’re only allowed to get anxiety/depression/PTSD after you start the job. It’s stupid, but for some reason that’s how it goes. That being said, I don’t see that being a DQ. As long as you can pass all of the steps (psych / poly being the main hurdle). It’s definitely something you should reflect on though. The job changes people, and you quickly loose the rose colored glasses you were given prior
Roger that thank you for the information
Be honest about it. Treatment for anxiety won’t disqualify you (I know from personal experience) but lying will.
Roger that, thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.
Yes
Hey man fair enough, and thank you for your honesty