A couple of years ago a total stranger tried to choke me to death, and almost succeeded on my college campus, but now i am extremely paranoid and prefer to be alone with the doors locked and I freak at the slightest noise, anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this?
2006-11-25 19:10:27 · 8 answers · asked by butterflyluver83 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I suspect that you have Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and need to see a psychologist to help you recover from this. In addition, you can see a medical doctor to see if a medication can help reduce your anxiety while you and your counselor are working on this.
I don't know where you were raised but young women who were raised in rural areas often have a sense of security, that nothing bad will ever happen to them. This is an illusion that you no longer have. It can be extremely frightening to be a woman in a large city unless you have learned the safety rules that women and men have to follow to stay safe.
You need to know things like; where are the areas that are not safe to go in after dark and the ones that are not safe even during the day.
Many women will not go out alone after dark even in the safer areas. If you have to go somewhere by yourself after dark in a safer area, park your car as close to where you are going as possible.
When walking on a sidewalk after dark, walk close to the street so that you can see someone that might be hiding beside a building. If someone is walking toward you that you are not sure about, cross over to the other side of the street so that you have to walk past the person.
There are many other things to be aware of. The best place to find out about these things is from a woman that you can trust that was raised in the same kind of area you now live in.
You can take self defense courses so that you can better defend yourself if necessary.
The primary thing is to not put your self in situations where you can be a victim. Not only learn safety rules, and how to defend yourself, but learn to carry yourself as a person who is confident, competant, and not afraid; even when you are afraid.
Those who prey on others look for the weak and the afraid. If you don't look like that, they might not take the risk of trying to take advantage of you.
God bless you and keep you. I know it might seem to you that God has let you down, but I assure you that He hasen't. We often don't know why bad things happen; but at 63 y/o, in constant pain, and severely physically disabled, I know that God would never allow any thing to happen to us that wasn't for our ultimate good.
2006-11-25 20:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by Smartassawhip 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you survived that experience, you are okay now!!!! I would highly recommend that you see a counselor, just so you can try to work through your fears and learn how to manage them. Also it would not hurt for you to take a self defense class. This way you can educate yourself physically on how to protect yourself.
You need to find your power in this. There is a difference between a victim and a survivor...if you live in fear you are only hurting yourself... But if you can find one thing, just one thing positive about your horrible experience that you can turn into a positive you will become the champion of your trauma.
You made it through this, so that means you are strong. You are intelligent enough to realize you are still scared still and need to find an alternative which means that you are working your way out of this. Sometimes , a bad experience can teach us something wonderful about ourselves...sometimes it takes days, weeks, months or even years....but when we find our strength (our positive) we stop giving our power away. Don't let this person take any more from you!!!!
2006-11-25 19:24:13 · answer #2 · answered by yidlmama 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd recommend professional theraputic help - look, you've been through a lot. you've had to deal with things with which most people couldn't cope. A good therapist could help you deal with your feelings.
Psychological trauma is a diffcult thing to deal with. I know, I've seen what it can do. What you currently have is a medical condition, and it is treatable. I'd suggest seeing your local doctor, who can probably recommend a good local therapist who can help you deal with the trauma you've experienced.
Whatever you decide to do DON'T rely upon an authority figure like a boyfriend to protect you, or you will remain dependent on that figure for a long time to come. Your best bet is to deal with this on a professional level. Figure things out for yourself with the help of a trained pro.
2006-11-25 19:33:53 · answer #3 · answered by Bael 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-11-26 01:40:47 · answer #4 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also suspect you have PTSD. I do as well. I received much needed support and resources from this awesome website: http://www.bein.com/trauma
Also get into counseling. Look for an counselor who specializes in trauma.
2006-11-26 01:01:01 · answer #5 · answered by craftgirl03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take Karate Lessons, I'm sure it'll improve you mentally and physically.
2006-11-25 19:19:48 · answer #6 · answered by David 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get a boyfriend like me... 6'4, 225 and proficient in the use of firearms
2006-11-25 19:13:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
a counselor might be able to help
2006-11-29 18:36:56 · answer #8 · answered by heidi_rammstein 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋