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Someone In The Dark?

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Kelsey Owens

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Hi fellow PTSD sufferers. I am joining this site because I have a crippling fear of the dark.

2 years ago I found myself with a stalker. During the first incidence, that person, who is still unknown, broke into my apartment and rearranged my furniture. The stalker didn't take anything, not even my Mac laptop that was sitting on the kitchen table. I had my locks changed and reinforced immediately after that. The next episode was far worse. I woke up at night to the sound of someone fiddling with my back door trying to get in. I immediately called 911 and was informed that no officers were near my area and that they would hurry, but no promises. The person was then trying to be quiet because I have many neighbors, so then moved on to the window and was in the process of pulling off the screen when our neighbors blessed dog pushed underneath its chainlink fence to attack whoever it was. The stalker ran off, but the whole ordeal had lasted almost 10 minutes...10 minutes of knowing that help couldn't get there in time...10 minutes of knowing that I had just glass between me and whoever wanted to rape or murder me. The police eventually arrived, and apparently had no real interest in catching the perpetrator. They wouldn't do fingerprints and even missed that the window screen was partially torn off. I got a big dog within the week, and as it stands now the person is still out there somewhere, and I have NO idea who it was. Ever since then, despite my big dog and living with my husband, I am terrified of the idea of that person coming back for me- coming back to finish the job, whether it was rape or murder. In the dark now I picture that person hiding, waiting to come out and get me.

A couple of days ago I was sitting on the couch downstairs at night watching TV with my dog (my husband was upstairs sleeping) and our power suddenly went off for no reason. I was suddenly plunged (dramatic word, but it truly fits how I felt) into absolute darkness. I panicked; that sick-to-your-stomach, mental-explosion type of panic where immediately you start thinking of all of the things that could be hiding in that darkness, first and foremost that stalker. I was so scared that I ran to the door and rushed outside. It was raining and cold so I knew I couldn't just stand there outside, but the idea of re-entering that pitch black apartment to find a candle made me start to have a panic attack. I eventually ran back inside and straight to the kitchen, rushed to find a candle and lighter, and ran upstairs to the safety of our bedroom, and by the time I got there I was sobbing. I am joining this site because I am sick of being crippled by my fear due to what that BLEEP of a stalker made me go through. I also want to be around others who know what that fear feels like, and who won't tell me that I'm being irrational.
 
Kelsey,

Welcome to the forum! You are among friends now and no one here is going to think you are being irrational. My ex-abuser stalked me for years so I know what you mean about being afraid of the dark. For years I slept with the lights on because I was absolutely terrified of the dark (it didn't help that I have really crappy eye sight and am deaf in one ear).

I am glad you have gotten yourself a dog. They can do so much as far as helping you cope and feel safe. The provide companionship, protection/intruder deterrent, and one of the best things is that their hearing and sense of smell are awesome. Which means that if someone unwanted shows up and you don't hear them (or can't see them because it is dark) your dog will.
 
Hi Kelsey, and a big welcome to the forum to you. There is nothing irrational, silly or in any way unusual about your feelings and reactions. As Jet said, to be stalked, regardless of the manner or duration of that stalking, is one of the most insideous types of crime, because it is, to put it quite crudely, the gift that keeps on giving. What I mean is that it is the fear of the unknown, the constant resulting hypervigilance and the sense of isolated, vulnerable violation, that is the intent of a stalker, far above and beyond the direct contact, and it is these things that are the hardest to live with, because they live inside your head and can persist long after the objective and rational evidence suggest that the threat is gone. I have very real empathy for your situation, and just want to reassure you that you will not be judged here.

Thank you for sharing your story, and make sure you stick around to read and write as you feel ready.

Maddog
 
Welcome to the Forum kelsey,

You have been through such a frightening time it is no wonder you feel the way you do.

Joy to you
 
Kelsey,

I think you made a great decision in getting a dog. You can also cheaply get your doors and windows w/ internal alarms....per fear of the dark....I keep several glow sticks handy to reassure myself and my children when the need arises. They are inexpensive and sold as toys.

I hope the jerk gets run over by a bus.
 
I like a3a2's idea of getting alarms for the doors and windows. I am moving into a house that doesn't have alarms yet, but I am thinking very seriously of adding them. I am also going to get a motion detector light to light up the back yard, just in case. I hope I will never need it, but it will be nice to have and will afford me some peace of mind. I just know some possum is gonna cross the yard, set off the motion detector and scare me, lol ;) Still, I think anything you can do to protect yourself and gain peace of mind is worth the time and effort.
 
A dog is good for warning of people around. Mine sure lets me know. A long tiime ago I had a bb shot in one of my windows and had screens ripped and my lights broken. And had onions and eggs thrown at my house. But last Feb was a bit much for me when I had my house under police tape. Someone tried to break into the house 3 houses down and the owners came out and chased him past my house and caught him next door. The intruder was captured next door to me and he ended up suffocating in the deep snow and died. Thankfully they eventually took the tape off of my house and just left the 2 houses covered by police and tape. Lately it's been quiet thank goodness.
 
Hi Kelsey! Have you thought about moving? I would pull up stakes and move before this situation gets worse.
 
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