Nadia Buckus
Certified Life Coach and Counsellor
Having a loved one hurt and abused during a robbery may be the most painful and confronting experience you can go through. At the start, you might feel shocked, angry or confused.
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A common reaction is feeling numb, and not believing that this has happened to you. Some people describe having an ‘out of body’ experience, or trouble coping with the little things of day to day life. Later, some people experience depression or anxiety.
There are many different ways that a crime like this can affect you, but it’s important to know that there are many different ways of coping with a situation like this.
Give yourself time
It takes time – weeks or months – to accept what has happened and to learn to live with it. You may need to grieve for what you have lost.
Be involved with other survivors
It can help to spend time with others who have been through the same experience as you.
Ask for support
It can be a relief to talk about what happened. You may need to ask your friends and family for their time to listen to you first they will probably not know what to say or do.
Take some time for yourself
At times you may want to be alone or just with those close to you.
Talk it over
Bit by bit, let yourself think about the trauma and talk about it with others. Don’t worry if you cry when you talk, it’s natural and usually helpful. Take things at a pace that you feel comfortable with.
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Get into a routine
Even if you don’t feel much like eating, try to have regular meals and to eat a balanced diet. Do some ‘normal’ things with other people Sometimes you will want to be with other people, but not to talk about what has happened. This can also be part of the healing process.
Take care
After a trauma, people are more likely to have accidents. Be careful around the home and when you are driving.
Even if you’re not sure of what you need or what’s available, find out how a certified counsellor can help.
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