Wonder if things, not wonder I am sure it is. For those of us who were victims of ongoing domestic violence this may be key to our home arrangements. I have had forced entry into my home by my ex. I have been cornered in a kitchen on more than one occasion. So I would imagine that is why I found a need for escape routes within the home as I was pursued in the home often.

Absolutley, my home has been one of the more dangerous places I could be through most of my life.. lol yet now I barely leave it.. I've worked hard to try and make it a safe place.. so if only people would stop breaking into it I might make some progess there!

bec

You're describing exposure therapy, right? I'm just starting that with my psychiatrist right now, although he's having me concentrate on the day of the shooting and the military triggers I have. Should I be doing exposure for this too, at the same time? Or is that too much, since I'm already working on other areas? When you were working on yourself, did you do a bit of everything at once?

That's really encouraging that you've been able to deal with it so well. I hope I can get to that point, too. I just feel a bit confused at the moment since there are so many things that trigger me and like I said, I'm not sure if I should be concentrating one at a time or all of them at once.

For me one thing at a time was how I had to do it. See, thing is it can be difficult to finally be able to handle one thing and keep up the exposure so not to slip back while you keep adding. Evie, work on what your doctor advices, not more right now. You are doing good.

Thanks veiled. Yes, I don't want to overdo it. I have a tendency to want to do too much at once and then I just get worse. I'm happy to know you think I'm doing good though, thanks for that.

Me TOO. Been that way for as long as I can remember. Fight or flight thing. Did serve me well once. Cop buddy and our families were at Chillie's one night and the F*** that shot my buddy weeks before sat down right across from our table with some other thugs. Luckly we had previous plans for this type of situation. Family got up, went to the restrooms and then we cleared out the place. After the manager saw the thugs were armed we got free meals. I know some of the folks here will think (American cowboy's) but that's the way it is (reallity). Still bothers me though. Sit with my back to the wall and know every exit, wife knows what to do too.

Thats the part that disturbs me most about America, the country thinks its great to bear arms, so what do people do? They carry guns everywhere... what happens then if provoked? Reach for the guns... screw that. Good thing you did sort that situation out Terry, and where prepared for it. Nice going mate.

Evie, yes... that is exposure therapy that I am describing. Honestly, exposure therapy is up to you and your doctor, being that your doctor might have you doing one thing, it may not be affecting you much, so you may then take it upon yourself to do more, obviously ensuring you don't overdo it. IF you have scope to do more, then do it, just do more slowly, progressively, because the fallout often takes a few days to measure the effect.

Terry, your story is so creepy. My psychiatrist is always telling me that people being armed (where I live anyways) is so uncommon that it's irrational to be worrying about it. I can't imagine what it would be like to live somewhere where it actually happens on a regular basis, I don't think I would ever leave the house. Last night there was a TV show on about road rage, and part of it showed people in the US shooting at other cars on the highway, since they were armed anyways. I think it's the main reason I'm scared to visit the United States. It seems as bad as going into a war zone. I'm glad in your situation though that you had a plan for what happened and that everything turned out okay.

That's my problem Anthony, trying to figure out if I've done too much exposure in one day or not. Today I had desensitization therapy with my psychiatrist and I thought it went quite well, I didn't get that freaked out. But then I went to bed and had wicked nightmares, and I'm up again when I should be sleeping, so obviously I overdid it...

No no evie, don't associate after therapy illness with over doing something, two very different things. If you don't get ill or have symptoms after therapy, you DIDN'T work hard enough or your physician didn't push hard enough. Over doing things, would mean complete crash and burn, ie. finding new lows you never knew existed; that would be over doing it.

Evie, it is not a war zone contrary to how we are depicted. People do get and carry guns illegally. But I would guess that is what is the case is other places that people get them. I do not think the numbers of such incidents are as high with those licensed to carry. Would have to ask one of our American police friends. How much trouble is caused by those who have their guns legally and those who do not have a license to carry concealed? And no you don't just apply and get one, you have courses you have to go through to carry and be retested every year, no criminal record. Not all states allow that though. Texas had it and with the new year Kansas just passed laws so you could be licensed to carry. I do know I do a visual body check as to dress style unusual bulges... my ex had taught me and I carried it over. I am trying to not be so much like that now.