Fearful Due To A Life Threatening Attack

[louisa]

Hi, my forum name is Louisa. I am a female, aged 47 from the U.K. I can't be more specific about my wherabouts as this would make me feel threatened. I was subjected to a life threatening attack almost a year ago and I worry that the perpetrator will track me down and kill me once released from prison. I worry that he might somehow come across this forum, recognize me by my story and somehow find it easier to find me - this is probably a ridiculous idea - (that he would come across this forum) but i cant stop feeling threatened. I am completely terrified of him. I am simply looking for support and to learn, and feel I want to read about people who, like me, are suffering from PTSD. Does anyone have any tips on how to cope with fear? I feel I cannot let the fear go because I know that I am at risk.

 

[lsully]

Hello I to have ptsd and know the pain involved with it. I always thought courage is fear holding on a second longer, so hang in there. Luke:smile:

 

[Deleted member 541]

HI and welcome to the forum,

You can do all that you can to protect yourself. Move to a new location, change your phone number, even change your name if you need to, but the fear is inside of you, and if you can't find a way to deal with it, then it robs you of living, loving and being you.....

Yes, you have a right to be fearful, but not to let it take over your life....I hope that you can come to some kind of term with your fear so that you can start living again. You deserve to live, be happy and free from fear......

 

[ShouldHaveStayed]

Louisa,
I am new here too. I have the same fear - that I will be found on here and that my story will be recognized. But then I thought... it would take a lot for a perp to figure out that I have been diagnosed with PTSD...and get lucky enough to land here. I think that this forum is really important for us and we should not be so quick to run from it. As long as we do not release personal information that would allow someone to find us.. I do believe we are safe.
Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to healing. We just need to recognize that we are FINALLY in a place where our thoughts and feelings can be shared and understood :) Im happy to meet you :)
Lisa (NOT "L" -- Im saying my name out loud from now on!)

 

[2quilt]

Yes, do what you can to protect yourself before he gets released from prison. You can get your last name changed through the court system for a fee, without getting married. First name too. Change addresses, phone numbers, get your mail sent to a postal box and not a street address, get advice on what to do from the police or a solicitor. I don't know if they have social security numbers in the UK or not, but you can ask your national credit bureaus to put a fraud survivor block on your personal information so it is not released.
Yes, trust is an issue for we people with PTSD, especially on the net where you really don't know who is reading. But I have been here for over a year, and
I feel safe. Anthony and Nic do everything in their power to keep us safe from spammers, trolls and the insincere posters who hope to hurt us.

 

[blue_eyed_angel]

Welcome to the forum :)

 

[louisa]

Reply To Your Replies

Hello Everyone

I Just Want to Thanyou all for your very helpful and thoughtful replies.

I have moved house but am not sure if it is far enough away.


'Courage is fear holding on a second longer' is a very beautiful and

positive description. (Isully) I think I understand what you mean.


Am a bit ill with flu at the moment so can't type for long but will be back

online again when better, thanks again, so very much, Louisa

 

[Kunoichi]

Louisa,

I have PTSD due to abuse. I don't have "evidence" to produce to get him in jail and he is actively searching for me. He doesn't know where I live and also lives only 15 miles from me. i don't have the money or resources to move from the state so unfortunately I am stuck where I am.

All i can say to live with the fear is to have courage and don't give that bastard the satisfaction of robbing you of life. I have purchased a knife as well as needing mace and a tazer eventually. He is an ex navy seal and a martial artist of 32 years so the life threatening part is very much so. I get terrified of him finding out where I am.

I hope you find peace, it is a struggle for me too. I also keep my hubby with me always when I'm out and about so I feel safe. *hugs hang in there

 

[louisa]

Thankyou for Your Reply Kunoichi

I'm sorry to hear about the abuse you've endured and the fear this has created in your life. I hope you find peace in the future too.

We can't carry mace or pepper spray in the U.K. It is ilegal here along with guns, and tasers. I used to think our laws, in terms, of gun control were good, but am not so sure now.

Although I moved house, I haven't actually re-located as I'm still in the same area but I wanted to stay close to two family members and also there would have been too many financial difficulties.

I really do appreciate your reply and everyones elses. Will look in again when this flu goes, best wishes, Louisa

 

[morgan]

Louisa, hi, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Kunoichi]

Thankyou for Your Reply Kunoichi

Oh never knew that it was illegal in the UK...umm can you carry a baton of some sort? anything for protection?

 

[Vorzha]

Welcome to the forum. I'm new as well, and haven't really introduced myself, but your post caught my attention. (I'm a Brit as well, though the Aussies I live among seem to prefer the term "pommie." For those unfamilliar with the word, its short for Prisoner of Mother England <chuckles>)

Unfortunately, self protection has been made legally difficult in the UK. The key to being allowed to carry any type of object that could be used as a weapon seems to be "with good reason," i.e. a chef carrying a roll of knives to and from work. I was wondering if an ASP is illegal as well. It takes a bit of practice to learn to use one, but they are very effective when handled properly, and they have the advantage of looking very innocuous as well.

Mostly, I think the key to feeling safe is to keep your confidence up (as much as you can) and your friends close. It has also been suggested to me that making friends with the local police can also be very helpful. I don't know what sort of law enforcement you have near you, but usually they are very protective of people they know personally, and it is possible that they would be willing to keep tabs on the perpetrator for you (once he is released), thereby creating an additional safety net for you and possibly easing your worries as well.

My thoughts are with you. :)