jasemb
27-02-08, 13:27
Hi All,
When I was about 13 I was mugged, not physically hurt, but threatened. I never told anyone at the time, and kept it bottled up (have been told in therapy that my anxiety is leaning towrds PTSD). My mum and dad had split up just before the incident, and I lived with my mum (it happened near her house) so I never really had a father figure or male protector I felt I could turn to. I'm 36 now, and suffer from bad anxiety, which all seems to centre on being a victim of crime. My wife and I have moved home many times just because I fear something happening were we live (nothing has, by my anxiety/paranoia tells me that it could).
I suffer with anticipatory panic, so whenever I hear a noise outside (be it a car, loud voices, or anything) or when I see something out of the ordinary it can trigger my anxiety. I've therefore spent my life avoiding any situation, which I perceive as threatening, and as previously mentioned, moved home quite a lot. I know that there isn't a crime free utopia, but I just want to feel safe.
Recently moved into the country, living in a small on the grounds of a big house, which is on the outskirts of a village, but quite isolated. There is also a stable on our grounds that is rented by a lady. About three weeks ago the stable knocked on our door, a told us to be vigilant, because another nearby stable had been broken into. She mentioned that our stable and some others close by where visited by a 'dodgy couple' Eve (and they may have been casing the local stables). I now feel very vulnerable and uncomfortable in the cottage. Keep thinking about what may happen (I.e. that the stable behind us may be targeted, or worse still our cottage). All I seem to be doing is listening out for noises, and once I go to bed I am having minor panic attacks (http://www.uncommonforum.com/glossary/panic-attacks.html) with 'tonight may be the night' type of feelings (constantly listening for any sound that may be out there). My thoughts just seem to be all consuming, and I just want to get on living my non work life, without this constant fear. The nights are worse (crime is easier under the cover of night; and my mugging happened at night), and I feel better in daylight for some reason.
I'm currently seeing a counsellor who is doing CBT; I've also just restarted medication after a period off them (so I'm sure this isn't helping the anxiety).
Has anyone else every suffered with personal safety/fear of crime issues?
Also does anyone have any tips on how to get rid of my intrusive, negative self-talk or just ways of dealing with this anxiety?
Thanks for listening.
When I was about 13 I was mugged, not physically hurt, but threatened. I never told anyone at the time, and kept it bottled up (have been told in therapy that my anxiety is leaning towrds PTSD). My mum and dad had split up just before the incident, and I lived with my mum (it happened near her house) so I never really had a father figure or male protector I felt I could turn to. I'm 36 now, and suffer from bad anxiety, which all seems to centre on being a victim of crime. My wife and I have moved home many times just because I fear something happening were we live (nothing has, by my anxiety/paranoia tells me that it could).
I suffer with anticipatory panic, so whenever I hear a noise outside (be it a car, loud voices, or anything) or when I see something out of the ordinary it can trigger my anxiety. I've therefore spent my life avoiding any situation, which I perceive as threatening, and as previously mentioned, moved home quite a lot. I know that there isn't a crime free utopia, but I just want to feel safe.
Recently moved into the country, living in a small on the grounds of a big house, which is on the outskirts of a village, but quite isolated. There is also a stable on our grounds that is rented by a lady. About three weeks ago the stable knocked on our door, a told us to be vigilant, because another nearby stable had been broken into. She mentioned that our stable and some others close by where visited by a 'dodgy couple' Eve (and they may have been casing the local stables). I now feel very vulnerable and uncomfortable in the cottage. Keep thinking about what may happen (I.e. that the stable behind us may be targeted, or worse still our cottage). All I seem to be doing is listening out for noises, and once I go to bed I am having minor panic attacks (http://www.uncommonforum.com/glossary/panic-attacks.html) with 'tonight may be the night' type of feelings (constantly listening for any sound that may be out there). My thoughts just seem to be all consuming, and I just want to get on living my non work life, without this constant fear. The nights are worse (crime is easier under the cover of night; and my mugging happened at night), and I feel better in daylight for some reason.
I'm currently seeing a counsellor who is doing CBT; I've also just restarted medication after a period off them (so I'm sure this isn't helping the anxiety).
Has anyone else every suffered with personal safety/fear of crime issues?
Also does anyone have any tips on how to get rid of my intrusive, negative self-talk or just ways of dealing with this anxiety?
Thanks for listening.