It has been a month now since my father broke into my apartment. In the middle of winter and only two month away from the deadline for my thesis. The anxiety and depression worsened significantly. But he has alway made life difficult for me and once again I struggle on. Parents like ours have no boundaries and don’t shy away from stalking and breaking in if they don’t get their way.
Since a home invasion is a non-violent crime there isn’t a tone of research on it. But after five to six weeks the victims psychological well-being usually improves (1). So, finally I manage to write about it. Victims of break ins often experience Adjustment disorders. Recently it has become easier to diagnose.
Symptoms are grouped into two categories:
- having intrusive thoughts and being preoccupied
- failing to adapt and falling into unhealthy habits
Often clinical treatment isn’t required, so the good news is that we can help ourself before is gets chronic. Reading and learning about your body’s stress responses helps to understand what is happening to you. This goes by the fancy name of bibliotherapies, I learned. And applying relaxation techniques at home are enough to bring most people through this difficult time (2).
As I am writing this blog, you know I was working on this stuff anyway. But the intrusive thoughts were defiantly a default for me. Since they are part of the cPTSD my parents leaved me with in the first place. Obviously, my emotional well being never mattered to my father. However, the research has also shown that men are less affected after a break in (1). So, he might not have been able to estimate the consequences of his actions correctly. But probably I’m making excuses for my perpetrator again.
My privacy has seriously been violated and there is no accountability from the offender. I feel fortunate I have this space and science to validate my experience. – Thank you.
(1) The psychological impact of burglary (2000) A. Beaton, M. Cook, M. Kavanagh, C. Herrington
(2) Self-help interventions for adjustment disorder problems: a randomized waiting-list controlled study in a sample of burglary victims (2016) R. Bachem, A. Maercker
