Is it normal to feel scared when you're alone outside after experiencing a physical attack?

[PinkMichae]

Last night around 10pm I got off work and went to McDonald's to get a drink before I headed home. In the parking lot is stop signs. And I drive for a living so I'm use to making complete stops at stop signs. So I stopped at the first stop sign and turned right. I did notice the vehicle behind me really close to me. After making a right there was another immediate stop sign I made a complete stop again before turning right. Next thing I see is the vehicle that was behind me on the side ahead of me and cut me off. I braked but it wasn't enough time so I crashed into him.

It wasn't bad enough of a crash to where the air bags deployed thankfully. But I sat there in shock because it was one lane. What the man did was completely illegal making this crash his fault. But clearly he didn't think so because he jumped out of his car, ran to my window which unfortunately was down, and he started punching me with his fist.

He was hitting me so fast I couldn't think other than raising my arm to block him from hitting my head. After hitting me around 7 times he stopped. And on his way running to his car he yelled, "you hit my car!" He then took off. I managed to pull myself together enough to get his plate number. And thankfully a biker, who was my angle that night, got over to me as quickly as possible and stayed to tell the police what he witnessed. I didn't notice the make and model. But the biker did. So police have a good lead into identifying my attacker.

I'm thankful to be ok. My arm had clear swelling and bruising that police documented. My issue is more mental. I now feel scared I'm going to be attacked when I'm alone outside. I start feeling anxious and the need to quickly look around me to make sure nothing is coming. I'm hoping it's normal and it will go away. Is this normal?

Updates

1 y

Thanks all. I should have recognized they symptoms of ptsd as I dealt with it years ago after I fought a pit bull to let go of my sons head. So it must be ptsd but I'll talk to someone if it interferes to much with my everyday life.

[Anonymous]

sorry you went through that. Whenever I drive I carry a few weapons on me just in case situations like yours arise which a lot of times it has and I've had to pull my weapons out. I carry a knife, brass knuckles, a baseball bat and depending on how bad the conditions on the road are I carry a machete and a hatchet or an axe and once in a while my bpv with level 3+

a lot of times the idiots who try attacking me just leave when they see I have a weapon on me but there's always that dumb fucker who still wants to fight and I have to think if i use my knife or other weapons on this dumb sack of shit for brains i could spend time behind bars and is he really worth going to jail for and that's when I have to make the better decision for myself and just walk away and leave.

see the thing is i picked up some knife fighting techniques Filipino knife fighting techniques and I also picked up some baseball bat fighting techniques but i still have to make the decision of whether or not to use my weapons on somebody and 98% of the time I choose to walk away. The other two percent of the time happened in domestic situations one was back in 2020 with a fat fucking slob tenant with me taking a butchers knife to him twice after he kicked my apartment door in and the other this past Friday where i had to be restrained by people from using a baseball bat on my landlord after i got sent to the hospital because of black mold in the basement which got into my apartment

98% of the time i'm aware of the consequences of my actions but that remaining 2% of the time I just don't give a damn because when a person reaches rock bottom and has nothing to lose those are the type of people that are the most dangerous

[Opinion Owner]

the landlord was trespassing after i told him to leave my apartment twice and he said he wasn't going anywhere and he wasn't going to leave hence the baseball bat. i also had my parent and roommate there who i had to look after to make sure the psycho didn't try to harm either of them or myself included

[AviatorTom]

So sorry for your experience. Yes, it's perfectly normal to be scared alone at night. In future, try not to be alone at night. If you are alone, take precautions. For example, stay in well-lit areas, keep your windows rolled up. Over time, your fear will reduce, but may never disappear. Take care.

[Alwayreckles93]

That's horrible sounds like PTSD yes I know the feeling. There is a special place in hell for that demonic guy and he shouldn't be driving he can't control for himself. It's all his fault I hope he goes to jail. I got in to a car accident years ago when I was in highschool On the freeway I was 16 at that time. Now I am almost 30 and I will not drive threw a freeway ever never.

[Snsl153]

Yes it's normal, and hopefully they'll soon catch the maniac.

[PinkMichae]

Thank you. I'm gonna call tomorrow to see if he's been arrested yet.

[exitseven]

That is completely normal. You had a physical trauma and an attack. your body has natural responses to this and it will take a while before it subsides. Be kind to yourself and if it persists after a few weeks, find somebody to talk to about it.

Hopefully the cops catch this guy and you can get some satisfaction. Retaining a lawyer would not be crazy talk.

[Plinko]

Yea, it's normal.

It's normal even if you hadn't been attacked.

[PinkMichae]

I've always been cautious by myself but never anxious like I have been. Thank you.

[Plinko]

Windows up from now on. Stay safe. :(

Sorry that happened to you

[loveslongnails]

It's normal and will probably pass if you practice some basic safety precautions from now on. If you have health insurance of any kind, or even if you don't, this falls under "mental health issues" and you can speak to a counselor free of charge if you're in the USA.

[EnglishEuropean]

It's normal and healthy. How long it takes for this feeling to fade will depend on how robust you are emotionally. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[GreatnessBack]

No, not at all. I'd be a wreck for a while too. Unfortunately, I'd probably look for him and made sure he didn't wake from his sleep.

[msc545]

This is normal as long as it doesn't persist over 3 months or worsen. If it does, you need professional help. This is PTSD.

[Cubus]

Of course it's normal.

Sorry this happened to you.

[FilmGuy93]

Of course that's normal? That's coming from your life experience.

[Juxtapose]

I hope you pack heat next time and blow away the next guy to give you trouble.

[PinkMichae]

Just a taser and mace for now. I want more practice with a gun before I carry one. Plus I feel the taser or mace would have stopped him without possibly killing him or God forbid an innocent bystander.

[Juxtapose]

Good call, just watch out for really thick jackets and clothing similar to that.

[grega239]

I dont have that fear. Attacking me is a stupid idea

[XXblack88]

Yes it is. I'm sorry this happened to you

[Anonymous]

Of course it's normal.

[Andres77]

I'm sorry.

[Andres77]

This is what I tell my daughters. Don't be scared, be prepared.
It's just something that you have to do. Think through everywhere you go in the day and see where you're vulnerable and what is the best method of mitigating the threat.
You just have to do it.
Figure out what weapons you need and get the training for them.
Check local laws so you don't get in trouble.
In Puerto Rico they don't stop at red lights at nighty... just slow and hit. Carjackers.
It's harder to do that here.
Don't be afraid, get pissed off.
Plan your reactions and at the very preview them in your head.
Again, I'm sorry that happened to you.
Your goal is to be prepared for it the next time and surprise that asshole.
Good luck.

[PinkMichae]

Thank you. I have decided to start taking my taser. I actually usually had it handy when I'm driving but I left it in my bag. I can't make that mistake again. And I plan to take mace as well. I wish people would stop being so damn angry.

[Jupiter1]

That's understandably normal.

[slatyb]

Completely normal.

[slatyb]

Here's something related, but probably not as traumatic. Once I was driving on wet roads and although I was driving below the limit, I hydroplaned into a Jersey barrier, totaled the car, and injured my passenger. Ever since I'm nervous driving in the wet.

[Guardian45]

Classic PTSD. Welcome to my nightmare!

[PinkMichae]

I'm sorry you have ptsd.

[Guardian45]

I'm sorry you have PTSD too.

[PinkMichae]

I didn't think of that till you mentioned. I dealt with ptsd for years after I had to fight a pit bull to let go of my 5 yr olds head. I did have nightmares, bouts of crying, flashbacks, and anxiety whenever I saw a big dog. Luckily it lessened over the years. So I should have recognized the symptoms.

[Guardian45]

Yes, I get surprised once in a while when I trigger unexpectedly. Is your daughter ok?

[PinkMichae]

It was my son. He's 18 now and healthy. But he has a 3 inch scar over his temple area where the pit ripped a large peice of his skin off. He also has 2 large laceration scars in the back of his scalp that's not visible because of his hair. He was lucky compared to most other kids that have been attacked that way.

Mentally he took it better than me. After he had the reconstructive surgery and got home it was back to playing his video games as usual.

Thanks for asking.

[Guardian45]

You're welcome. And I'm glad for his good outcome! You must be VERY GOOD mother!

[pizzalovershouse]

Very true

[EaterPeter]

Yes and very much.

[EaterPeter]

Thanks for like!

[EaterPeter]

Couldn't you have rolled up the window and try to drive away?

[EaterPeter]

May be dragging him along with you.

[EaterPeter]

I am sorry that happened.