Backstory: I was assaulted 4 month ago by my best friends husband. No one saw the incident but he struck me hard enough to leave a mark and I have copies of the text messages he sent me after I got away from him. My best friend did not believe it happened even after seeing the texts and photo of the mark her husband left. They are newly married, she was in an abusive relationship before and I fear she has done the same again. She believes he was 'wound up' which is why he did it and is livid that I reported the incident to a solicitor, 111 and obviously told close friends and family. We have not spoken since the incident as I cannot accept this behaviour and I have been suffering with anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia.
I have been having counselling, I have been given citalopram and sleep tablets and im slowly starting to heal. However, we live in a small town with 1 school and social occasions happen which we are bound to see each other. Every time I see them or hear that they are doing x,y,z in the community I get shaken to the core, my anxiety peaks - its like another step back. Does this get easier? Has anyone have any coping mechanisms?