How to Heal After a Theft

A theft has many effects on a person beyond simple missing property. In addition to the financial losses suffered by a theft victim, more insidious, secondary effects occur after something is stolen. People who are stolen from frequently feel violated and find it difficult to regain trust in others. Fear is also a problem that must be dealt with by those who have been victims of theft. Often, a combination of time, professional help and improved security measures are required to regain the level of comfort felt before the theft occurred.

Instructions

• 1

  Protect your identity. After any type of theft, identity or otherwise, it is normal to feel vulnerable. Because identity theft is so common, reassure yourself by taking measures to prevent it from happening in the future. Only give out personal information to trusted sources, shred important documents, and hire an identity theft protection service.

• 2

  Install a security system in your home, or upgrade your existing home security measures. A security upgrade should make you feel safer in your own home.

• 3

  Talk to someone about your feelings after the theft. Keeping your problems and fears bottled up inside only makes them worse and inhibits any potential chance at healing that you have. If you don't have anyone to talk to, ask your family doctor to refer you to a counselor or mental health professional.

• 4

  Let your feelings run their course. It isn't going to help the healing process to suppress your feelings of violation and fear. Talk about them not only with a professional, but also with your family. This helps you move on when the time is right.

• 5

  Take good care of your health, such as eating right and getting exercise. These things play into how well you sleep at night; decreased sleep is one of the common lingering effects with which victims of theft have to contend.