Extreme anxiety after home invasion

[Pixiedust2000]

Good morning everyone this is my first post.
Sunday morning we had a home invasion. Myself, sister and Mum were home. It was around 8am so not early at all. Unfortunately it was my mum’s old friend who was high on drugs. My mum recently removed her from her life a couple months prior to this as she was acting strange.
We recognised the girls voice when she spoke as she has a very distinct voice and had been to our house many times. The woman had been messaging my mum horrible things a couple days prior but my mum didn’t want to get involved at all. We never expected this woman to do this as we had her as a friend for a while. It was only recently my mum noticed she started to change and my mum feared she was on drugs, turns out she was. They didn’t take anything. The police came but couldn’t do much as they didn’t steal anything and we didn’t have any photo evidence even tho we knew who it was. They ended up getting picked up later that day with other charges. Even tho it was just a scare and they were high on drugs and the woman was mad as to why my mum didn’t respond to her texts.

I suffer from anxiety in general but have felt my anxiety increase extremely after this. I haven’t returned back to the house to sleep as I’m scared. I jump at every noise, I keep replaying what happened in my mind. I am meant to move out this year and I’m finding myself scared of the idea. Im just after some strategies that could help me. As I know I’m safe at my house now but don’t want my anxiety to take over my life now after this.

thank you very much.

[Croix]

Dear Pixiedust2000~

Welcome here, it is a safe place.

I'm sad to hear of your experience, to have an ex-friend of you mum's come into your home in such a violent manner due to drugs is a great trauma. It leaves you frightened, confused and unsure, worried about repetitions and even anger at others, your self or the intruder.

Your home is no longer your refuge.

If we take the practical side for a moment, home security is simple and effective, I'm not going to give you lists of things here but suggest you contact Crimstoppers who have a section on protecting your property

https://crimestoppers.com.au

as well as practical advice from local police who will probably have special section to give advice over the phone.

In a way all that is the easy bit, just physical things -Oh, I forgot to mention, if you can get on good terms with all your neighbors, they can help watch out for trouble.

The harder part can be getting over the shock, and here I think you were wise to not spend the night at home, in order to give you time to think things over. Bear in mind it is probably not just you who is shocked, but your mum and the rest of your family too.

Talking about it together, hearing how each person felt and reacted, and what their thoughts and maybe fears are now can help you all - you are not alone in isolation.

I'd also suggest seeing your doctor about a counselor, who can lead your though the stages of your anxiety till you are able to cope. If left too long such feelings can tend to magnify into illness, so early preventative action is best.

You are very welcome to come back and talk more

Croix