armed robbery - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

freewillnc · 07-16-2006, 01:50 AM

I have been the victim of four armed robberies. It was the fourth one that really just did me in. I manage a resturant and was leaving the building at night when I was conforted by an armed idiot dressed in all white and covering his face with a tee shirt in his left hand and brandishing a weapon in his right. I took cover behind one of my employee's vehicles and tried to get my weapon out that I carry for protection. It is not like the movies, you can't draw your weapon real fast and safe the day. Thank God, one of the 3 employees that were outside with me started shouting, "Shoot him!!" so the stupid criminal started shouting, "No NO NO NO Don't do that." That gave me time to get up and take aim, but too many factors would not allow me to fire. So the piece of crap got away. Police spend 30 minutes looking and that was that. I wanted to kill him so bad. So now I see his face (covered face) everytime I close my eyes. I am afraid he will come back for me, and there is only so much Zanax can do. I hope this site will give me some comfort. I don't think I can take much more stress.

brokenchild · 07-17-2006, 03:18 PM

I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better, to feel safe. It's good you have a weapon with you, even if you didn't use it, having it is a good deterant for criminals.

Have you talked to a professional about this at all? Sometimes talking about it to someone, even if it isn't a professional can help. It doesn't always help, but you never know until you try.

I doubt he will come back. He knows you are armed and from his reaction, he probably doesn't know how to use a weapon properly. I know that doesn't change the fear, but maybe it will help you feel a little safer.

I hope you are doing better by the time this reaches you. I can only imagine how terrified you must have been and continue to be.

freewillnc · 07-19-2006, 12:49 PM

Everytime I close my eyes I see that SOB pointing what looked like a .32 or a .38 at me. I hope to feel better soon. The doc gave me some Zanax which seems to help with the anxiety, but I guess there is nothing for the startle response. I know a lot of police officers, and talking to them helps. They tell me what it is like to have a gun pointed at you and then you get the chance to take them out. I pratice taking the gun out of the holister, so that I am prepared for the next idiot.