Bring it into the open or not?

[geoffretired]

When I asked about target panic several months ago now, I was given excellent support and advice. Reading around the forum, it seems I'm not the only sufferer. When I started my rehab. I told the other club members that I was in rehab but I deliberately did not say what the problem was. I felt it was better that they didn't hear about it. It was as if hearing about it could cause it to spread to them. I notice others on this forum have a similar take on this.
I am wondering now if this mild "secrecy" thing doesn't add to the problem. People suffer in silence before "going to the doctor". By that time the doc says it's terminal.
Much has been said about TP; much of that doesn't work. Perhaps things that do work should be in a box with a glass front and a hammer."In case of TP , break glass and read instructions."
How do others feel? Should this be kept under wraps? Or should instructions be in every club house? Should it be spoken about openly when the matter naturally comes into conversation? For example;we tell archers not to buy arrows that could be too short in a few months' time. Perhaps the danger signs of TP could be mentioned in a similar manner, when appropriate.

[Jimbo]

I have no experience of it personally (yet?), but I know of one archer who was struggling to land the sight on the gold and was relieved to find that it was a known issue and there are various steps that can be tried to combat TP.

[Bald Eagle]

Problems need discussing, some, especially T.P (or gold shyness) need specialist advice,it's a long road back to form without it.A good coach is essential in getting you back on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, T.P. has nothing to do with form, it's a mind thing and has to be dealt with accordingly.

[Little Miss Purple]

I can see no reason or benefit to hiding it, maybe people will not suffer it to such a degree if it is highlighted and tackled sooner

[Kae]

Like most problems, if they aren't discusses, they can't be solved. Ultimatley the sufferer feels more and more an outsider and then leaves.

[Flandyman]

Had a bit of fun with this a while ago - was always shooting low, finally realised I was panicking when I got close to centre hence releasing early. I set myself the task of coming onto centre and not letting go - then coming down - do this twice then shoot on the third - boy did I twitch for a while when I came onto the centre - mind says no body says go !

It took a while but now I can come onto centre and only release if I want to, scores have gone up - still get the odd twitch but I make sure I always come down if that happens. Talking to a couple of juniors in our club that seemed to have a race shooting an end, told them to hold on the centre for a count of two and then decide if they want to release - slows them down and helps them stay on centre for a concious shot and not just let fly and hope. Dont know it it will help them not get this but they are shooting better groups now !

Answer to question - open conversation is always best on these kind of things - how else do you learn and benefit from others experience?

[Mistake]

I used to get TP alot at competitions. I know it was a mind thing, and i eventually managed to beat it not too long ago, about 6 weeks ago. I talked to a coach about it at the begining of last indoor season, and they said that the only real way to get rid of Competition TP was to go to as many competitions as i could to get used to shooting to whistle/traffic lights and also the other pressures that accompany Record Status shoots.

[Macbow]

My name is Macbow and I have target panic

[geoffretired]

Thanks for all the responses so far. It seems we all think it should be out in the open. In reality, it is often kept under wraps until an archer has suffered for some considerable time. Some struggle on not knowing they have it. If it was spoken about openly, they would have recognised the symptoms and could have looked for treatment earlier. There are cures, so it doesn't need to be seen as the terminal disease it was once thought to be. Perhaps there should be badges available? "I've had TP and survived." I wonder what percentage of archers would qualify for wearing them?

[bluebow]

I do think it should be discussed, but at the same time it is important not to be hasty with a TP diagnosis. Expert advice is required for diagnosis as well as dealing with TP.

My concern is that TP could be accepted by a less experienced archer as the 'easy answer' to problems, when underlying form or mechanical reasons could be causes for the problems the archer is having.

One positive thing is that their does not appear to be a stigma attached to TP. While many archers may not understand it, there is support and understanding available.