Witnessed an assault, cant stop thinking about it now

[auschic]

**Trigger Warning, there is talk of an event some may find disturbing**

A couple of days ago my partner whom I love dearly was aggressively physically assaulted by an unknown person. The attack was random and uncalled for, it left my partner with a broken nose and minor head injuries. When it happened, i remained calm and attended to the situation to the best of my ability. My brain kind of blocked out all the blood and everything that I saw so that i could focus on breaking the fight up, gathering evidence and ensuring my partner was okay. Its been a few days now and ive been looking after him making sure his okay whilst his injuries heal.

People were saying to me they were surprised how calm i was during the whole thing and how i must have been so scared. All i can say is honestly in the moment I wasnt scared at all but now, a few days later I cant stop thinking about it. When i close my eyes I see the person who assaulted my partner face. I keep replaying the blood i saw gushing out over and over again. I remember how much pain my partner was in as we waited for the ambulance and the shocked faces of everyone around me whilst my partner was on the floor. I just want it out of my mind.

I dont feel like talking much to anyone about it, i just want a way to lessen the images I keep seeing.

[blondguy]

Hello Auschic

Welcome and thankyou for having the courage to post...especially after what you have been through

I am sorry for what happened to your partner. Your ability to remain reasonably calm is your strength to cope with the situation (bad situation) as it happened.

Its what happens afterwards that can be a problem. We are not accustomed to witnessing a traumatic situation like this especially with a loved one. The images you are seeing are the aftereffects of the trauma you witnessed

I have been a witness/and involved with a few car accidents and have always been calm during the event....and within a few days I always feel immense stress feelings

What you are feeling after the event is perfectly understandable. Can I ask if you have a GP that you can have a talk to in the next couple of days? Whether its a GP or a counselor isnt overly relevant. Making a double appointment with your GP will provide you with some peace after this awful event

As carers we also have to be cared for as well. I really hope you can make some time to vent what has happened to your choice of health professional. They can provide us with the peace we need in such a difficult time

I hope that your partner is doing ok....please send our best

the forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post Auschic. If you have any questions there are many gentle people that can be here for you

my kind thoughts

Paul

[startingnew]

hello and welcome

it sounds like you may have abit of ptsd (please remember i am a peer not a mh professional so cant diagnose). some people think that because the truama didnt physically happen to you, you still witnessed it and it can have the same effects.

Paul has suggested speaking to your gp about how your feeling, i think this would be a good idea too. they can refferr you to a psychologist who can help you to process the event and learn to feel abit safer again.

There is also helplines like Beyond Blue that your able to ring if you need and if you have a look at Victims of Crime they offer supports for those who are a victim of crime (that includes the families and those who witnessed what happened too)

Hope this helps.. again welcome and please do keep talking to us here. Hugs for the tough stuff xox