Struggling

[Jane08]

Hi, not sure if I'm in the right place, I've recently had a fairly big trauma in my life and am now struggling with anxiety symptoms and flashbacks. Me and my family recently had our home broken into and were robbed at knifepoint by men in balaclavas. They didn't get away with much and no-one was badly hurt but I now can't sleep, am lying awake every night reliving what happened and planning what I will do if they come back, having flashbacks and panic attacks, jumping at the slightest noise even during the day and generally having a rubbish time! Not sure what else to say really, am just hoping someone can tell me I'm not going crazy I think.

[NeverToo...Fear]

Hi Jane...wow, I can't believe you and your family were robbed! I glad you guys are okay! I'd be scared out of my mind and I wouldn't blame you for having flashbacks and jumping at slight noises among other things.... I certainly don't think you're going crazy, but rather it's just a normal reaction to a stressful event.. I think your mind is expecting the event to happen again so it's constantly having you on edge. I mean, once it happened, it could happen again, right? But the actual chances of it happening again aren't so high..my guess is that it will get better with time and you'll re-learn not to expect every sound to be a robber... good luck to you! :)

[tailspin]

Hi Jane,

Welcome! I'm so sorry you and your family went through this terrible ordeal. I'm really glad you all survived! But I can definitely see how this experience could trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You are most definitely NOT going crazy.

I would really recommend some counseling with someone who specializes in PTSD. There are a number of specific methods that can be used in PTSD therapy which have proven helpful. Is this something you are able to look into? I'm not sure where you live, but your doctor should be able to refer you to someone.

In the meantime, I'm glad you have found this website. There are a lot of supportive people here and I really hope it helps you to spend some time here.

[Jane08]

Thank you both for the welcome, glad someone thinks what's happening to me is fairly normal at least! I've suffered with depression and anxiety for years on and off but this is something new and a bit scary if I'm honest, really have felt like I'm losing it lately. Realistically I know it's highly unlikely it's going to happen again, our housing association emergency transferred us to a new house and I do feel safer here but am still going over and over what happened in my head and planning out what I will do if anyone breaks in, to the point where my heart feels like it's going to burst through my chest and I'm drenched in sweat. Keep trying to think calm thoughts and steer myself away from reliving everything again but it's not working. I haven't managed to register with a new GP yet, leaving the house without my husband is something of a challenge atm and he's working some distance away so is home late, know I need to though so will try and make that my task for this week, one a week is about the best I can do right now! Am also really worried about the effect the robbery has had on my daughter, she's 5 and has been having nightmares since it happened. She talks about 'the nasty men' a fair bit and I do my best to allay her fears and keep things cheerful for her but she's still, understandably, scared. I feel massive guilt that she's had to go through this, I'm supposed to be able to protect her and feel I should have been able to stop it from happening although I know in reality there was nothing I could've done. Just feel like we've all had a massive shock followed by all the upheaval of having to move so suddenly and it's all been a bit too much. Sorry to go on but don't really feel like there's anyone I can talk to, don't want to worry my husband or my mom and am not really close enough to anyone else to share this kind of stuff.

[tailspin]

Hi again, Jane. This all sounds incredibly stressful and distressing, and I'm so sorry! I hope you are able to register with a new GP soon and that you can get started on some treatment. It sounds as though your little girl might benefit from some sessions with a child psychologist too? What you have all been through is traumatic to be sure.

Since you were already dealing with depression and anxiety before any of this happened, it might also be an idea to explore the possibility of some medication? I really hope you're able to find a good doctor and that he/she can help you. In the meantime, keep posting here all you need to!

Wishing you and your family the very best.

[deeter4]

Oh my goodness, what a traumatic experience. I think that it is good that you are here and feel safe talking about this because it isnt good, in my humble opinion, to hold these things in. I am sorry this happened to you. I truly wish you the best.