I recently came face to face with an intruder in my home who luckily turned and ran but since then have been feeling really low.

[jacash52]

was already depressed but now feel much worse and not sure how to feel better as now feel unsafe in the one place I felt ok.

[Hidden]

I'm so sorry to hear about the intruder! I'm not suprised you are feeling low, having someone come into our own space uninvited feels extremely threatening and almost as bad as being raped! Although the feelings may pass on their own it sounds as though the event triggered feelings in you that you are struggling with a while after. Often talking through feelings from a one off event such as you describe is the most helpful way of overcoming them and if you think that you would find a couple of sessions with someone I would seek help from a registered counsellor, either privately which would be the fastest way of ensuring the feelings don't get out of hand but is costly (about £40) a session or via your GP which will take a while. There are also trauma clinics and meeting a counsellor from one is also an alternative, you may be able to find such a clinic by googling trauma and your local town or city. Sharing the feelings is likely to be the most helpful way of overcoming them. My advice is not to think that because you are feeling low you need meds, otherwise you're likely to get onto a path of thinking there's something wrong with you when there isn't, your response is absolutely natural. I do hope you know that. It may be that support from people on the website is enough but if it isn't I would definitely seek help and soon so you don't get into that depressed cycle. Good luck, Suex

[jacash52 in reply to Hidden]

thank you so much for your kind words. Have just found this website and think it will be helpful. Think you are right, talking it through with someone would be good.

[Hidden]

Yes, the website it useful. Glad my comments have helped, sharing a problem with the right person is always better than dealing with things alone. I've just got back from therapy and feel so much better than a couple of hurs ago. Good luck, hope you find someone soon. Meanwhile do write again here if you need to, I know I will. Suex

[BriarRose]

Contact Victim Support - you don't need to be referred by the Police, you don't even have to report the incident to the police, and it doesn't matter when it happened. Take a look at their website:-

victimsupport.org/

or just call 0845 30 30 900 to see how they can support you over this frightening experience.

Good luck!

Rose x

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are feeling worse and agree completely with BriarRose. Victim Support is there to help and I do hope you feel able to turn to them. Suex

[Starfield]

I don't think anyone can understand the trauma of a house invasion until it happens to them. Once your sanctuary is 'attacked' you lose perspective. I have never been a 'nervy' person even when living alone in South Africa. That was until a group of thugs smashed their way into my house twice in three weeks. I was so terrified that I used to just drive around in my car at night parking outside pubs or wherever as I felt safest in my car. My GP believes that trauma, amongst others, triggered my FM. Never underestimate the damage such an event can have on an already depressed person. It's important that your GP understands what you went through and gives you all the support you so urgently need. Above all, be gentle with yourself and don't feel frustrated that your fear and anxiety won't go away. The good news is that in time you will come to terms with the invasion and start to feel safe again.

[jacash52]

thank you so much Starfield for your kind words. I think you are right that it is hard to understand unless its happened to you because I know myself, I wouldnt ever have imagined it would have such an impact. Am seeing my GP on monday as have had to wait to see one that I connect with and am allowing myself a bit of me time at the moment which is very nice. Glad I found this site as it really helps to hear from others.

[Imforeal]

I live alone and came home from work, I walked into my bedroom where an intruder was going through my stuff more than 2yrs ago and I really feel and know what you could be going through. I go regularly to counseling and some days think I will never get over it. I have rearranged my whole house by pulling walls down and added an extension, repainted, security windows and added sensor lights.

Firstly I just want you to know it is hard and tough, you went through something real and was not from an imagination, just don't be hard on yourself because what these people did to us was so cruel. I still get panic attacks and bolt from the house to a friends house.

These criminals took away our right to feel safe, took away our happiness to live life without fear in our environment destroyed by their selfish gains.....and left us feeling devastated,

Hopefully you will heal in good time but don't take notice of people who say unkind things like 'But you didn't get hurt' as they lack knowledge and understanding, cause you did get hurt. I got hurt, just not physically.