Anxiety after break in

[JG75]

I’ve got ptsd from childhood abuse although for the most part I function pretty well. I can keep my anxiety under wraps unless there’s something majorly stressful going on.

A couple of weeks ago I got broken into when I was sleeping, thankfully I scared them off by screaming. Since then I’ve barely slept, I can’t seem to control my anxiety at night, I lie awake listening out for them coming back and getting more and more anxious until morning comes and I can go to work and forget about it.

I rent my place so can’t do much but I’ve added additional security measures etc but that doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. Has anyone got any advice on how to deal with this? Do you ever feel safe again?

 

[LuckiLee]

This happened to @ladee recently. I bet she can talk you through this. I'm sorry this happened. I don't blame you for being anxious. That's a scary thing to have to go through. Did you report it to the police?

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I am SORRY that this happened! I would feel JUST like you do! At the very least it will take TIME for your mind (and body) calm down. Just reading your description of what happened was enough to make me shudder at the thought!

I did a search on YouTube for "home security" and a lot of videos came up. You might watch a few of those for some ideas that might help you feel more safe.

Please DON'T be hard on yourself no matter how long it takes for you to get back to feeling secure! You have EVERY right to be hypervigilent for a while, but with time, it should get better.

BLESSINGS to you, and:hug: Hugs :hug: if accepted:hug:

 

[shimmerz]

Install a camera. Use it.
Have you secured the area that they gained access?
What room were you in when you noticed the burglar?

 

[JG75]

Thanks for your support. I called the police the minute they ran off and they came out and took a brief statement but I don’t think it will result in anything, we’ve had 3 break ins on our street and nothing’s happened.

I’ll have a look on YouTube, I think I’ll have to leave it until daytime as it will probably make me more anxious thinking about it.

I only rent a room so they broke in through the front door, kicked the door down on the room opposite mine and proceeded to do the same to mine at which point I figured I had to do something so screamed. My rooms got a lock and I’ve got a heavy duty door wedge, I doubt I’d be able to fit cctv due to it being rented.

 

[Mee]

Many without ptsd get really shaken by this so I think when it happens to ‘one of us ‘ we might be being fair to ourselves to remember it’s normal reaction to be unsettled by this ... a lot.

I have not had a break in since ptsd so I have no advice but I did support a strong family member through and they felt really very upset for a number of weeks.

 

[Joan]

I am so sorry. That is so scary. I do not have any great advice. I struggle with feeling safe. Just wanted you to know you are not alone and I hear you. Do you have a therapist? Hoping you have some support to create a safe space. Take sweet care of yourself.

 

[JG75]

Thanks, it does make me feel a lot better to know that it’s a pretty normal reaction, it’s been a few weeks since it happened now and I think people expect me to be back to normal and I’d love that to be the case but my brain has other ideas!

I’ve got a therapist and she’s been supportive although it feels like we’ve been totally out of sync with each other, I think she’s trying to get me to see that what’s happened now is triggering feelings from the abuse whereas I’m trying to keep them both separate. Outside of therapy a break in is sort of an acceptable trauma whereas abuse is something that shouldn’t be discussed. That’s not what I believe entirely but I think it’s what society believes.

 

[Gs172003]

Can you get a dog?