Have you been the victim of a burglary? Here’s how to deal with the emotional trauma

Having your home burgled is one of the worst invasions of privacy you could ever experience.

Anyone who has ever been a victim before will know about the emotional trauma that usually follows. Consider what steps you can take to cope with it, recover and then continue your normal life.

When a criminal comes into your home, uninvited, and steals or damages your personal possessions, the aftermath may leave you with one or several of the following reactions…

Anger
Disbelief or Denial
Sadness
Fear

Moving on from the experience is vital when it comes to conquering the emotional trauma that comes after a burglary – Here are 5 helpful ways to deal with a burglary:

1. Get Support

Support comes in many forms and it can mean a lot of things. Whether you reach out to your friends or family members, work colleague or even a trained counsellor – getting support from people you trust will help you to talk through your feelings and conquer your trauma.

2. Let yourself Feel

After a burglary, you may be overcome with a waterfall of emotions. Embrace them! If you want to cry – cry. You have been the victim of a terrible crime, so it is okay for you to feel upset about it.

3. Do not let the Fear Consume your Life

Feeling scared after a burglary is perfectly normal, however you should never let the fear control you and consume you. Take action by installing a home security system, downloading the PatrolMan neighbourhood watch app, enrolling in a self-defence class, or whatever else makes you feel safer.

4. Stick to your Routine

Try to get back to your normal routine as soon as you can. Your normal routine is a vital part of your recovery process – if will allow you to get back into the swing of things and move past this traumatic event.

5. Take good care of yourself

It is a natural thing to feel sorry for yourself when you have been the victim of a burglary – do not give into it! Eat healthy, stay fit and be happy. Do not let a common criminal rob you of your good health and mental well-being.

Dealing with the emotional trauma of a burglary is a process. And while it may not seem like it now, you will get past the feelings of negativity and move on with your life!