Anxiety and metal detecting

JVA5th · Aug 11, 2020

Anyone else have an anxiety disorder and find certain aspects of metal detecting difficult? I've got GAD(generalized anxiety disorder) and getting permissions is next to impossible because I get so nervous and overthink. Also metal detecting in places with lots of people beaches and parks can make me very uncomfortable. Even also if I manage a permission I often feel uncomfortable and get a sense of being an intrusion and feeling worried. I feel I miss out on a lot because of it. I just wondered if anyone else deals with this too in this hobby.

Tommybuckets · Aug 11, 2020

I don't do too well getting permissions either. I've talked my way into and out of one in the same exchange. I find if i rehearse a quick script before I ask it can help but the exchange never goes like i think it will. I often ask if I can scan their yard or field with my metal detector. It sounds less intrusive that way. With covid I've given up on asking people. I like to be in the middle of the woods or the river with no one around me to really enjoy myself. I've skipped targets on the beach so people wouldn't see me dig up junk lol. I don't consider myself anxious but I do have a bit of hypersensitivity.

JVA5th · Aug 11, 2020

Tommybuckets said:
I don't do too well getting permissions either. I've talked my way into and out of one in the same exchange. I find if i rehearse a quick script before I ask it can help but the exchange never goes like i think it will. I often ask if I can scan their yard or field with my metal detector. It sounds less intrusive that way. With covid I've given up on asking people. I like to be in the middle of the woods or the river with no one around me to really enjoy myself. I've skipped targets on the beach so people wouldn't see me dig up junk lol. I don't consider myself anxious but I do have a bit of hypersensitivity.

I also don't drive because my anxiety so I get left out of a lot of the best of metal detecting. I absolutely love the hobby and when I can find a decent spot which is rare for me can be an escape from my anxiety riddled mind. Anxiety is odd I can have tons of thoughts and just feel so worried it is almost a physical feeling that will keep me from doing things. It can be real intense. I've got super nervous at even parks and beaches so much so I won't go around people as I metal detect as I just feel weird for some reason. Trust me anxiety disorders aren't logical and I know it isn't but can't help to feel as I do. I hate it.

Diggitdaddy · Aug 11, 2020

Dont sweat it. Most people want to detect and they tell me so, but they dont out of laziness or fear of not finding anything. Maybe find a friend to detect with. But be strong and hopeful. Fear comes from the dark side. Pray about it .

JVA5th · Aug 11, 2020

Diggitdaddy said:
Dont sweat it. Most people want to detect and they tell me so, but they dont out of laziness or fear of not finding anything. Maybe find a friend to detect with. But be strong and hopeful. Fear comes from the dark side. Pray about it .

Yeah it would probably help me to have a friend that metal detects. Not always easy though I find it hard to find people my age into it and one's that have the patience for it.

DiamondDan · Aug 11, 2020

I'm the exact same way. I have a very strong dislike of the general public and it makes me extremely uncomfortable to be watched when I'm doing something (doesn't matter what). I always go really early in the morning, at night, or when it's kinda crappy weather and I know people are not going to be out wandering around.

As far as permissions go: I have NEVER been door knocking. Not once. I always think of the way I react when some unknown person comes to my door wanting something from me, and I guess I expect most people to react the same way (irritable). I also very very rarely ask for favors, even from close friends and family, so asking a stranger for one seems really weird to me.

JVA5th · Aug 11, 2020

DiamondDan said:
I'm the exact same way. I have a very strong dislike of the general public and it makes me extremely uncomfortable to be watched when I'm doing something (doesn't matter what). I always go really early in the morning, at night, or when it's kinda crappy weather and I know people are not going to be out wandering around.

As far as permissions go: I have NEVER been door knocking. Not once. I always think of the way I react when some unknown person comes to my door wanting something from me, and I guess I expect most people to react the same way (irritable). I also very very rarely ask for favors, even from close friends and family, so asking a stranger for one seems really weird to me.

Yeah I'm similar, except I expect to be an annoyance to people. I don't like being watched makes me worried if I'm doing something wrong or will do something someone dislikes on accident. Just my mind overthinks and I worry too much. Not that I want to or mean to it just happens. People often don't understand you can't just turn it off. I wish I didn't have my anxiety disorder because I'm sure I'd have better luck with the hobby if I wasn't afraid to ask for permissions and if I didn't feel uneasy around places that have a lot of people. Also my anxiety disorder has made it to where I never learned to drive. So I'm left out on a lot. I feel I can't even join a local metal detecting group because I don't drive and would be a burden.

worldtalker · Aug 13, 2020

This article may explain a few things for you John.

https://www.fhu.com/turning-the-tables-on-anxiety/

GOD Bless

Chris

Jadee · Aug 14, 2020

Hi JVA5th

I too have GAD and Major Depression: What helps me a lot is doing breathing exercises, like this one that works wonders; Do a slow deep inhale for a count of 5, hold breathe for count of 2, now exhale slowly for a count of 5. Do this a few times and completely focus on your breathe. Meditating and also visualization really helps a lot. Dialectical Behavioral therapy skills work: it is a great technique for learning how to look at things from a logical standpoint even when you can be in a very stressful situation. There are some of those basic techniques of DBT that I can teach you if you want me to, please don't hesitate to ask :icon_thumright:

JVA5th · Aug 14, 2020

worldtalker said:
This article may explain a few things for you John.

https://www.fhu.com/turning-the-tables-on-anxiety/

GOD Bless

Chris

Thank you I shall look into that

JVA5th · Aug 14, 2020

Jadee said:
Hi JVA5th

I too have GAD and Major Depression: What helps me a lot is doing breathing exercises, like this one that works wonders; Do a slow deep inhale for a count of 5, hold breathe for count of 2, now exhale slowly for a count of 5. Do this a few times and completely focus on your breathe. Meditating and also visualization really helps a lot. Dialectical Behavioral therapy skills work: it is a great technique for learning how to look at things from a logical standpoint even when you can be in a very stressful situation. There are some of those basic techniques of DBT that I can teach you if you want me to, please don't hesitate to ask

Thank you, yeah I know a lot of that. GAD feels like a constant battle and always fighting to manage. Isn't fun even when it makes ones hobbies difficult.