How to Cope After a Home Invasion

After a home invasion, many people feel anxious, have difficulty sleeping, blame themselves or begin experiencing panic attacks. Although these reactions are normal, you might be unsure of how to come to terms with what happened or how to move on with your life. Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to cope. However, if your symptoms persist, worsen or severely interfere with your life, you should seek assistance from a professional counselor.

Instructions

• 1

  Spend a few nights in a hotel. You might feel unsafe in your home for awhile after the invasion, so your best bet is to find a different residence for few days. Getting away from the scene of the crime can help you feel secure, giving you more time and energy to come to terms with what happened.

• 2

  Have any property damage repaired before you return to your home. Doing so will eliminate unnecessary reminders of what happened.

• 3

  Increase the security of your home. Some ways to do this include changing your locks, installing an alarm system, purchasing an outdoor light or adopting a guard dog. Do whatever it takes to help yourself feel safe and protected.

• 4

  Talk about your feelings with someone you trust. Expressing your anxiety and shock can relieve stressful emotions and help you process what happened.

• 5

  Recognize that you are not responsible for what happened. The only guilty party is the invader.

• 6

  Take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain healthy eating habits, exercise daily and get enough sleep. A fit mind and body are less susceptible to the mental and physical complications that can occur after exposure to a traumatic event.

• 7

  Limit your exposure to media reports. After a home invasion, you might become hyper-sensitive to news about crime. If news stories about home invasions, burglaries, muggings or other types of crime bother you, avoid them until they no longer cause undue distress.