For most people, home is a place of safety. It’s a place where you are protected from the outside world and can let go of the cares and stress of life. A home invasion changes that. A break-in is more than a robbery of personal goods — it can also rob you of your mental security.
It’s not just the monetary cost. Intrusions to such a highly personal space often leave victims in a state of psychological distress — immediately following the event and far into the future. Knowing someone has been inside your home and taken things of value can have a severe mental and emotional impact on your personal, professional and family life.
If you feel traumatized after a break-in, you are not alone. For some people, domestic invasions are mentally and emotionally damaging. Let’s explore some of the psychological effects that can linger after a break-in and what you can do to move on and feel safe again.
What Happens to the Mind After a Home Invasion?
Even if there is no violence or you do not see the home invaders, why are break-ins such distressing events?
Most people see home as an extension of self. You may be out and about most of the day, working and socializing — but home is where you can truly be yourself. It’s the place where you feel most comfortable and protected from the outside world.
A break-in shatters that fundamental sense of safety. If this sacred space is at risk, where can you be truly safe?
The Impact of Neighborhood Crime
You don’t have to be the victim of a home invasion to feel vulnerable after a break-in. Property crime rates have been steadily climbing, with major cities seeing as much as a 50% rise in break-ins and burglaries. Living in high-crime areas or even in a neighborhood where a robbery occurred can have a severe impact on your mental well-being.
The perception that your home is not the safe haven it should be has a damaging effect on individuals and communities.
Common Emotional and Mental Health Concerns Following a Break-In
When a deeply held feeling or belief is so irrevocably crushed, it’s understandable why mental and emotional health issues develop. Many studies show that home intrusion puts individuals at higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other forms of psychological distress.
The knowledge that someone has been inside your home, the place where you feel most safe and secure, leaves feelings of violation and vulnerability. This can cause drastic changes to your personality or intense reactions at odds with your usual character.
Whether it’s in the days that follow or a long-term disorder, here are some of the most common trauma-related mental health issues people experience after a home invasion.
Sleep Disturbances
Fight or flight. This term refers to the body’s release of stress hormones during or after a traumatic event.
It’s normal to experience this sense of hyperarousal for days or even weeks after a break-in. Because of this, many people have difficulties falling asleep or find it hard to fall back asleep if they wake up. You may even struggle with insomnia or days of wakefulness.
Anxiety and Fear
A break-in has an intense emotional impact that disrupts your sense of personal well-being. For many, this can trigger an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is persistent and excessive worry or fear, even in everyday situations.
You may be afraid of another break-in. Or, you may not understand what you are scared of — you just know that worry is always creeping in the back of your mind. Taken to the extreme, you could find that this fear interferes with your ability to function.
Break-ins can lead to many anxiety-related issues, such as:
- Difficulty controlling your thoughts or emotions
- Constant feelings of worry or dread
- Panic attacks
- Social phobias, or avoiding social situations
Anger
Anger is a normal response to a home invasion. You may feel a strong desire for vengeance, to find the person responsible. You may blame a family member for the break-in. You may even be angry at the police, feeling they’re not doing enough to resolve the situation.
Anger is a natural reaction that can become a problem if it:
- Persists long after the event has passed.
- Impairs your outlook.
- Becomes part of your character.
- Upsets those around you.
- Damages your relationships.
- Impacts your work, studies or hobbies.
- Hurts others verbally or physically.
Paranoia
A home invasion can change the way you view the world. You may be worried it will happen again or that the person who broke in will come back. You may become more suspicious of people or situations. You may even struggle to function because of deep-seated feelings of mistrust.
It’s normal for a traumatic event like a break-in to distort the way you think and feel about the world and cause unfounded suspicion, which may lead to paranoia.
Depression and Sadness
After a break-in, you may feel sad, hopeless or empty. You could feel a sense of loss for something of high sentimental value that was stolen. Perhaps you feel guilty, as if you should have done something to prevent the invasion. You may even lose faith in humanity, feeling that others have failed you.
If feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in the things you once enjoyed become an everyday phenomenon, you may have trauma-related depression.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
People mistakenly believe that PTSD only impacts those who’ve personally witnessed violence. While violence can make individuals more susceptible to this mental health disorder, you don’t have to witness a crime to develop a trauma-related mental health condition.
Burglaries are intense emotional experiences. Heightened feelings of stress, sadness and fear are expected in the days and weeks following a break-in. You may begin to struggle with intrusive thoughts about the incident, flashbacks, nightmares, social detachment and extreme emotional reactions to everyday situations. These are hallmarks of PTSD.
Feeling Safe After a Break-In
Everyone reacts to trauma in different ways. In the aftermath of a burglary, there’s no telling how long it will take you to start feeling normal or even a little better. Be patient and kind to yourself.
As you go through the process of healing mentally and emotionally, there are a few things you can do to overcome trauma and feel safe again.
Allow Yourself to Feel
If you’ve never experienced a traumatic event, you may be surprised at the intensity of your emotions. From angry outbursts to deep wells of sadness, your feelings are valid. These emotions are normal reactions — don’t be afraid to express them to the people you trust. Support and comfort will go a long way in helping you recover.
Take Practical Actions
Take inventory of your belongings. Talk to your insurance company about recouping your losses. Clean your home. Go to a self-defense class. Adopt a dog. These small actions can empower you after an event that makes your life feel out of control.
Anything you can do that helps you feel reassured will help you cope with the emotional impact of a break-in.
Invest in Home Security
Knowing a criminal accessed your home is a disturbing thought. Added home security makes your home more secure and provides you with peace of mind, knowing there are protections in place.
Measures like community patrols, burglar alarms, motion sensor lights, extra locks and even actual security guards are strong deterrents for crime and can protect you from future break-ins.
Restore Your Routine
A sense of normalcy can be comforting during times of upheaval. Your predictable, repetitive routine provides structure and stability to your day. These defined activities can help reduce stress and give you a sense of calm.
Try to return to your normal, everyday schedule as soon as possible. While you may need moments to deal with intense emotions, restoring your routine is vital to the healing process.
Seek Emotional and Mental Support
You may want things to return to normal or feel like you shouldn’t be struggling, but it’s important to work through your feelings as thoroughly as you can.
Talking about your experience with family or trusted friends is a great way to air out intense emotions and find perspective. However, if you have psychological distress or mental health concerns two weeks after the event, it may be time to seek professional help.
A qualified trauma therapist understands the connection between a traumatic experience and your emotional and behavioral responses. They can give you insight into your symptoms and help you understand why you’re thinking or behaving the way you are. Ultimately, therapy works to break the power of trauma and find coping strategies that will help you release emotions and live your life.
It may take time — and that’s okay. Stay patient and optimistic.
Reach Out for Help
Break-ins are a potentially traumatic experience. It’s understandable if you have an intense emotional or psychological response.
Coming to grips with the mental health impact of a home invasion is a process. You may think you will never feel normal again. Be patient and give yourself time. Though it may take professional support, you should be able to regain a sense of well-being again.
Author Bio
Jack Shaw is a senior writer and editor at Modded, where he passionately explores the intricate connections between physical health, mental well-being, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content, Jack’s articles offer valuable insights into living a balanced and fulfilling life.
