Well...

[Jemjamjen]

about a month ago I was working an overnight shift and someone broke in and robbed us at gun point and well obviously that was really scary.. but now it's worse.. And I wasn't really offered time off. I basically refused to work that shift they didn't care but I was given a break from it for a few weeks and now I'm back on it and I'm just terrified. I can't focus, I'm looking over my shoulder every 5 minutes in between the 5 minutes and supposedly there was supposed to be a counslor coming but..idk how that that is supposed to take.. and now I think everyone is just blowing it off like it's nothing now.. and the only kind of help I get is "be thankful your alive" I mean.. really? Who said I wasn't thankful? That's like telling someone that lost a family member in an accident to be thankful they weren't in the car.. i don't want to quit, and I'm not going to.. but I shouldn't be afraid to be at work

 

[NorthernBare]

I would demand proper counselling. Report this if nothing is done. Early treatment
Damn straight anyone would be terrified. It is response of most to shut that down act tough..then later have big problems like alcohol or drug abuse.depression anxiety etc.
Get help on your own if they don't provide asap.
There is no descibing ptsd in levels
The body responds to all trauma.

 

[cat-lady]

Yes, proper treatment as soon as possible is important from a health perspective. It's also important from a worker's comp perspective to go to someone qualified to give you a diagnosis. A diagnosis will also help you from a disability accommodation standpoint. So sorry to hear you went through that.

 

[Jemjamjen]

But do I just grin and bear it until they send someone? Last time I talked to them about it was before thanksgiving and I was told that they were getting it set up and that I needed to be there when they came. I don't understand why it's taking so long.. should I ask? I don't want to be annoying to them, but I need something.. that little bit of a break didn't really help.

 

[cat-lady]

If you have insurance that covers therapy or can afford therapy I suggest finding someone on your own. If not then try and see if social services in your area will help out. It's not good to have to wait so long when you feel the need for it now.

 

[Shae-Ra]

I perfectly understand what you're saying about being grateful. I am actually in the process of studying gratitude because I have to wonder if there is more to it. I am even grateful for the traumatic experiences I've had because they taught me things. However, gratitude doesn't seem to be the impenetrable armor some tout it as. It's also possible that we're missing something.

I would echo what others said and get help as soon as possible. Please, coming from someone who experienced the first sexual abuse at age 6 and to this day (I'm 33) I have still never told my mother. I have two beautiful children with a man who was incredibly abusive to me (not to them, though which I am grateful for). I have job hopped because the pain builds up everywhere. I'm not saying you should be terrified of screwing things up like I have, just that you should be ready to protect yourself from the "inception" of PTSD. The thing is, like the movie "Inception", PTSD can affect you in ways you don't notice it is until you're my age and finally learning about healthy boundaries, and how to be self-confident and assertive.

Please keep this one thing in mind: PTSD is the result of healthy self-defense mechanisms getting stuck on. In the wise words of Viktor Frankl, "An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior."

I truly hope I've said something that helps or at least nothing that hinders.

 

[Jemjamjen]

I perfectly understand what you're saying about being grateful. I am actually in the process of studyin...

Finally someone came yesterday. He didn't help, didn't ask how I felt, or if I felt better or how I was doing. He asked questions but it made me feel like he was just un informed on the situation.. and I left the conversation still in the same situation.. only more confused. He asked me if I wanted to quit.. I don't understand why? He asked 3 times. Also asked 3 times if I refused to work a certain shift. Then today he told my manager that I didn't want to be on the over night shift anymore and now they're saying I have to step down if that's the case... and I never said that.

 

[cat-lady]

You shouldn't have to step down but maybe it's time to start seeing what other jobs are out there. Maybe you can work some place for the same or better pay that will treat you better. If you are determined to keep this job or have to keep this job because there aren't other options maybe try looking for outside help. I suggest getting a therapist since that guy was definitely not helpful! Sorry to hear that!

 

[Jemjamjen]

You shouldn't have to step down but maybe it's time to start seeing what other jobs are out there. May...

Yeah I don't want to quit. It stinks sometimes but I still like it been there too long. I told them that the person they sent didn't help at all and they told me they could see about getting someone else. If I go see someone it's for 8 sessions.. and I'm just worried that I need more than that..gotta lot of built up stuff.

 

[cat-lady]

I hope 8 sessions will be a good start that will give you an idea of what type of therapy to go with if you feel you need more after that. Not sure of your work/health care situation but maybe if the therapist decides you need more than 8 you will get more than 8? - I hope so at least!