Undiagnosed Robbed At Gunpoint At Work

[Bronzeambient]

Hello, My name is Bree and I'm 19 years old.

I was recently (2 days ago) robbed at gunpoint while at work (I work at an adult store alone until midnight) Two men came in with a gun and they were covered head to toe so I couldn't describe what they looked like. At first I didn't think it was real with all the pranks people post on social media and what not, then when he put the gun to my back I knew it wasn't a joke. I was so tramatized in the moment that I couldn't even open my register because I had completely forgotten how. They were in and out within a few short minutes. When they left I grabbed the store phone and called the police immediately. When they got here we watched the camera footage and now I replay it in my head over and over. As far as I know nobody has found the men. I'm terrified to go back to work and have been thinking about finding a new job. Since the incident I've not slept more than a few hours without waking up from nightmares and get scared walking around my house or anywhere else alone. I know it's only been 2 days but could this be ptsd or am I just shook up still?

 

[St.Maybe]

Hi there,
and welcome : )

We're not doctors, here, so we can't tell you if you have PTSD or not... that being said, I doubt that even a doctor could confirm a PTSD diagnosis at this time- it's so soon after the event, and it's clear that you haven't processed your trauma... whatever that means <_<.

Processing trauma and coping healthily is nowhere near easy, and most people I've talked to on this site have found professional help absolutely invaluable. Are you willing and able to find a therapist?

I honestly think that anyone would still be shaken up. Still, you need to be able to rest in order to be healthy...you should reach a point where in general, you feel safe and you're able to move on with your life- Leave it to fester, and you might get sick.

Best wishes,
Reno

 

[aut555]

I feel so bad for you. I can't answer your question but look out for nightmares, and see if anything triggers you in panic mode. You have to kind of go through some timeframe to see how you are dealing with it. If you need to talk to therapist then try to schedule an appointment. Think its great that you are changing jobs, and you are taking care of yourself. So grateful that you are alive and nothing else happened to you. It may help to hang out with a friend or family member if possible. The state may have some type of victim resources you can check for. There probably wasn't much you could have done even with another co-worker there. Sending compassion to you.

 

[Alibongo]

Hi Bree
What an awful thing to go through - no wonder you are terrified. As the other guys said you need time to process what has happened. This is a normal response to what u have been through. The guidelines in the UK say that if you are still having issues a month after then you should get some help. I can only go based on my experience-being "debriefed" soon after the attack can actually do more harm than good. Try and talk it through and have a good cry with friends and family- hopefully this will get you through the difficult weeks and hopefully it won't develop into PTSD. Also try and stick to your normal routine as much as possible if you can. Hope this helps x

 

[EveHarrington]

Hopefully it won't develop into PTSD!

It's good that you're reaching out for support now. I hope you can also reach out to friends and family members for support. You definitely want to get support now so that it doesn't develop into PTSD.

:hug:

 

[joeylittle]

I know it's only been 2 days but could this be PTSD or am I just shook up still?

With the caveat that no-one here can diagnose you...it's likely that you are dealing with a form of Acute Stress Disorder. In the first month following an extreme trauma (like what you went through), an individual can be diagnosed with ASD. When the symptoms persist past a month, the diagnosis will change to PTSD.

So, there's a step between 'shook up' and PTSD. It's really good that you are asking, and very, very important for you to take this seriously and get some help from a qualified therapist. Being able to talk it through with a mental health professional should go a great way towards relieving your current symptoms.

Can you take two weeks to a month off from your current job in order to focus on yourself? The feelings you are having are completely understandable, and they stand a good chance of going away entirely, if you can start getting help now.

 

[hodge]

Welcome, Bree. I'm so sorry for what you've been through.

Be assured, anyone who'd gone through that would be very, very shaken up. Sending best thoughts that this doesn't turn into PTSD.