Mental health after a crime

[bombastix]

I wonder if anyone has a useful experience of therapy or treatments after experiencing crime and trauma?

I have been struggling through on my children's behalf because they need me. But six months on and I am starting to really struggle with feelings of rage and sadness as to what has happened. We may never get any justice at all, so it is harder and harder to be positive for them. I don't want to burn out but I feel close some days.

Trauma is the mind's way of trying to make sense of what happened, to ensure it doesn't happen again. Is there likely to be any resolution by way of a court case in the near future?

It's normal to take a while to process traumatic events, but sometimes they can get "stuck" in your short term memory longer-term and overwhelm you on a regular basis. I found EMDR therapy very helpful, and have also heard good things about trauma-focussed CBT. Both are available via the NHS (usually by your GP or local talking therapy service referring you into secondary mental health services) but there is often a significant waiting list.

Are you employed? I only ask because some organisations have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and this can sometimes include access to some therapy (doesn't have to be a work related issue).

Also, have you been in touch with victim support? They might be able to signpost you to a service that could help

I will try Victim Support, thanks. My children are those most affected and so they are getting the support they need. For me it's a repeat trauma and sometimes I am just completely floored by the intensity of the feelings. I can pay but really need someone who is experienced so will try NHS too.

No. It could be a long while. This is the issue. I am only part of the way though this and suddenly it is really starting to hit me in terms of the impact. It could be much longer until I know what the next steps will be for all of us

From what you’ve written it sounds like you may have developed, or be on the way to developing ptsd OP. Please see your GP and ask to be referred to your local mental health team. I have ptsd after being a victim of a crime and it doesn’t just go away unfortunately, like a pp said, the trauma can get stuck. It needs to be processed properly in a safe environment with someone who is experienced. I had CBT which helped a lot.
I wish you lots of luck.