Sufferer I Was Shot During An Attempted Carjacking

[Sara1999]

Hi, my name is Sara. I was shot when I didn't give up my car to a man with a gun. I hit the gas as soon as he pulled out the gun, and he shot me as I drove away. The bullet broke the glass, went in my arm, exited my arm, and reentered my torso (all of this was one bullet). I had to have emergency surgery where they removed my galbladder and cauterized my liver. I never saw the man's face, so I can't help ID him. They are nowhere near catching the man who did this.

I am in counseling twice a week with a crime and trauma specialist doing EMDR. It isn't helping yet. I have all the fun PTSD symptoms (hypervigilance, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, nightmares, vivid memories, avoidance, numbing, depression, etc). The hardest part right now is the loneliness. Initially I got all kinds of support from friends in person, with cards and phone calls, and on facebook. Now the rest of the world has moved on and I am still trapped in the worst day of my life. Even in a room full of friends and family, who are all very supportive, I feel utterly aand completely alone. I am hoping to find some friends on here that can really understand what I am dealing with.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am sad about what happened to you. How horrifying and terryfing. No wonder you feel the way you do. This is a real supportive community. Take your time gatting familiar with the site and post as you feel ready. It is nice to meet you.

 

[Pinkcake]

I'm sorry that it happened to you. I think one of the important things about this forum is that you "meet" people who are in different stages of healing. There are people who are at the beginning and still learning how to even begin to move forward, people who are steps ahead of that and then there are people that have conquered or learned to control the PTSD symptoms.

I am a beginner. I was only diagnosed in October from an experience in July. It wasn't a violent crime though and I think that you will find people here to relate to, that have also experienced violent crimes.

(((Hugs))) to you.

 

[Ruckster]

Hi and welcome. I know about the loneliness and I hope you find some common spirits here. I have.

 

[LC23]

Hi Sara. Trauma aftershock can be a crazy rollercoaster. Don't judge yourself for whatever you are feeling, just let yourself feel it, as much as you're able (work and other social situations complicate it of course, so do what ya gotta). Lots of good help and listening here. Use the site as a complement to whatever support you have in your life - family or friends or significant other.

 

[KP the nut]

Hi Sara and welcome to the forum.

I'm sure many of us here can relate to feeling alone even when we have a supportive family, I know I did. I was so glad when I found this forum with the information, support and friendship it offered.

Wishing you peace.

 

[MrNumb]

Hi Sara,
I really can relate to the loneliness you describe. I have experienced a similar event with armed carjacking and kidnapping 10 months ago, I however was not physically injured. I´m also recieving EMDR and it has helped atleast a little for me and I hope it will start showing results on you aswell. About the loneliness this is old news for family and friends and I sometimes told I should move on and that it could have been worse. It´s probably impossible to understand if you never experienced trauma.

Best wishes