Burgled at 16 has scarred me - any advice please

[elibabes]

when i was about 16 - many years ago
and staying at a friends house during a summer
they were out for the day, i was there alone as they trusted me
there was a breakin and i was threatened by 3 or 4 balaclava wearing thugs

one claimed he had a knife

they didnt harm me and i was terrified

and the only thing from me they took was a bank card which had no money in it

since then i have never been the same
yes i get on with my life and am happy,

but that paranoia of loud noises has stuck with me since

and throughout the last few years it gets worse and worse

i am suffering from really bad anxiety,
any time its 6am and i hear loud rumbling nearby even if its a big truck or one of those early morning council street cleaner vans.. or just somebody rolling the bin down the path for the bin men - my heart races and i am literally terrified

if ever somebody comes home excited and slams the door loudly, i am terrified

i am not a `nervous wreck in public ` and come across and try to be as normal as possible

but the trauma from that young age burgulary, the fear and the shock at the time has literally scarred me for life.

is there anybody on here similar?

[Pumpkin]

You're suffering from post traumatic stress disorder which would be very normal for anyone who has been through a similar situation as you. Have you seen a doctor? I think you would really benefit from some sort of therapy. Just remember, you are safe now!