Georginia house robbery victim suffers with PTSD and the physical and emotional fallout

The echo of a moment can quietly reverberate in the hollow pit left by suffering.

With almost every South African being a victim of or knowing someone who has been a victim of crime, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is endemic. Whether desensitised or oblivious, PTSD can often go undiagnosed or unnoticed until things begin to spiral out of control. For Yolani Veldsman, the gradual deterioration of her quality of life led her to seek answers from a professional.

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“For an individual to be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must be present for more than a month and interfere with an individual’s work and relationships. This may include reacting to loud sounds with negativity such as anger, outbursts, and high levels of irritability. An individual may become overly suspicious of their surroundings and struggle to concentrate and sleep,” advised Florida-based counselling psychologist, Ereen Mitchell.

Yolani and her family were the victims of an armed home invasion four months ago, with the perpetrators returning a few nights later to inflict another blow. Four armed men held her and her parents captive as they ransacked the house, leaving with two motor vehicles, one of which was recovered. A few nights later, the Nissan Champ used by Yolani’s father Robin was stolen out of their front yard.

Since the incidents, Yolani has suffered several setbacks which have left her unemployed with no transport. This has placed additional strain on her marriage, with transport problems forcing the relationship to become temporarily long-distance. Combined with a long battle with her insurance company in the aftermath of the robberies, the financial and physical toll left her feeling robbed of time and dignity. “It was like hell was brought in here; those people don’t realize what they do to a persons life,” said Yolani, sitting in her living room.

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A seasoned counsellor, Ereen explained the emotional and mental impact traumatic events could have on victims. “Individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD could experience intense, disturbing, intrusive thoughts and feelings associated with a traumatic experience. This can be incredibly isolating for an individual experiencing these symptoms, as they will start detaching themselves and eventually become estranged from those around them,” stated Ereen.

Having begun the process of rebuilding her sanity, the first step was letting go of the negativity felt toward those who intruded on the sanctity of her home. “I am taking each day as it comes. I have a lot more to give and I don’t want to hold onto that poison,” said Yolani.

Still searching the barren job market, she is hoping to find an admin position in Roodepoort, but longs for emotional tranquility too, saying, “My dream is to one day laugh again from the pit of my stomach”.

Psychologist Ereen Mitchell advises on how to deal with PTSD

There is no “right” way of handling a traumatic event. Each person is different, and every person responds at a different pace when dealing with a traumatic event. The brain is wired to deal with trauma in specific ways, but these specifics may be different for everyone. Often individuals attempt to avoid the feelings and memories of a traumatic event in the hopes of avoiding the effects of trauma. However, studies have shown that the more individuals try to avoid the trauma the more severe the consequences may be.

It is therefore encouraged that individuals get help through:
– Maintaining or establishing contact with friends and family to help deal with feelings of detachment and isolation
– Changing the narrative through seeing yourself as a survivor rather than a victim
– Talking to a medical doctor and/ or a mental healthcare provider about treatment options that best suit you and your lifestyle
– Engaging in physical exercise, which may be a positive protective factor as exercise is known to help reduce stress and anxiety
– Setting realistic goals for yourself, especially regarding your expectations about your PTSD symptoms
– Remembering that symptoms of PTSD will improve gradually and not immediately