I am worried about my daughter she is extremely scared of public transport. We have been burgaled and now she is not feeling safe In house.

[beecroft]

I suffer with depression and her mood swings to happy and sad.

Is there something or someone who can advise me what I need to do for her.

[Suzie40]

Hiya

I had absolute meltdown when I was burgled last year and very selfishly, it became a lot about me and little about the children. It was a long time after the event I noticed that my son was collecting up anything of any value and taking it to his room at night. When I asked him what he was doing, he said it was to keep stuff safe. It really upset me that I hadn't realised the effect the burglary had had on him.

My advice to you would be to talk to her about her fears. Reassure her that the house is safe - even let her help you lock up at night. Get her a low energy lamp for her room that she can keep on throughout the night. You could even tell her that the burglar has been caught and is in jail. If you think she needs support that you perhaps can't give, you can contact victim support and ask their advice.

I hope she's ok x

[Hidden]

I agree with Suzie. But on the practical side get her one of those alarms which make a loud noise when activated. That might help to reassure her a bit.

bev x

[Hopetobehappy2013]

Hello,I agree with the others, how awful and violating! I think we underestimate the effect of somebody violating our privacy when they burgle our 'safe' place (home). It's always traumatic and we need to process it and for it to be ok to have other 'sympoms' like your daughter does- its all pretty much related to fear and lack of control I think.

I know sometimes the police offer support to victims of crime and are trained to, so its worth contacting your local force. My experience of local police services is they are very kind and supportive of vulnerable people. She could still have shock / trauma, and its good for everybody in the family to talk and support each other, and perhaps go on a few day trips via the bus, or use them with her? Have w nice chat, something like that? My gp told me its good to do something with your hands as it distracts you and you use the other side of your Brain - (v helpful advise I found!) Maybe if she like half the rest of the world has a smart phone get her to show you how Facebook works, what's going on casually and this will distract her. It's all about 'desensitising' these fearful situations. And think about busses- strange people getting on and off, no control and all sorts of people - even maybe the burglar - may come and sit next to you in a trapped moving enviornment! When you break it down it makes perfect sense!

You can go to her gp together and talk to them about counselling. And find out about what the police offer first? The main thing to do is talk, and for everybody to talk over Their worries, Change the locks together, for it to be ok to have been scared, lots of hugs and tears together!

But I'd def ring the police as a starting point.

I hope you all feel better and safer soon, these people have no idea how much harm they do! But remember its not personal and there is no reason it was you - but they don't get to make you all more scared, they don't get that right.

XxxxxxPenny

[missrat]

I think Victim Support are still around, and it will be worth talking to them - often people with similar experiences.

[coatpin]

How old is she?? maybe she has heritory depression, shock can bring it on,,, if you notice the symptoms and take her to the gp.