Even if you defended yourself and hurt the attacker, is it normal to still have nightmares about it?

[Anonymous]

It happened nearly 5 years ago and once in a while, I still have nightmares about it. Someone tried to hurt me once, grabbing me from behind. It wasn't even at night but in the afternoon.

I only did two moves though; stepping hard on his foot with my high heels (one of the many moves my father told me long ago) and strike to the lower abdomen. I'm ok but not ok at the same time. I don't trust nowadays and become more vigilant than ever. I've enrolled in a firearms academy ever since. It changed me completely. I still don't understand why anyone would want to hurt a humble and quiet person that was minding her business.

Is it normal to still have nightmares about it from time to time?

Updates

+1 y

Ever after defending myself and disabling the attacker, I was crying afterwards.

[BoopBoopBeep]

It's common. You still had that moment of uncertainty. Whenever you look someone in the eye and you both know one of you is going to die tonight, that's some stuff that sticks with you. May not always be traumatic for you, but you'll never forget it, or his face. Maybe nobody died with you, but I suspect the concept is similar.

[Sparkie460]

You will never forget that. It traumatized you because you got so scared. It's normal to have nightmares once in a while

[Asker]

It took me by surprise and the only thing that saved me was having prior knowledge of some defensive moves, doing it fast and without thinking, show no mercy for him. I had no weapons and there wasn't anyone nearby for me to scream for help. I had to solve it by myself.

I feel terrible for the poor girls that didn't know what to do with a situation like that. I have to thank my father for teaching me the moves, he indirectly saved me. By now I've learned more and come prepared. It's sad that I can't trust people nowadays.

[Sparkie460]

If you had keys on you , you could put one key between each finger and jab in the eyes. I taught my daughter and wife that method. Luckily they haven't had to use it. I also recommend women carry pepper spray at all times

[Asker]

Yes indeed. Thank you

[Sparkie460]

You're welcome and thank you for the mho

[laraWM]

You know some people are mean and they just try to hurt you for no reason. It is really good you managed to defend yourself

I understand you tried to move on trying to act but maybe you should try to see a psychologist to help you. I think it is really normal to still think about it

[Asker]

yes perhaps a psychologist would be helpful. Thanks

[laraWM]

I hope it'll help 🙂

[Agape93]

Yeap. It can be traumatizing if you aren't accustomed to violence

[Asker]

Absolutely. That event took me by surprise and it impacted my ability to trust people. If I didn't know any defensive moves, I'd been screwed.

[Agape93]

Yeap. What happened with me broke me, and what's left is what you see here. Sometimes the cost of power is innocence or blood.

But luckily once exposed to it, we can better understand how to prevent it or stop it in the future. Just try to keep your humanity.

[Asker]

I'm sorry to hear something bad happened to you. Yes it's sad still live in a world full of terrible people out there, ruining for the rest of the good ones.

[Agape93]

Indeed

Need to talk?

[FreyaRed]

It's rather manifestation of fear in your dreams than memories from what happened. Those memories will shift over time in a dream that can't be real. You start to fly or being invisible in this particular dream that uses emotions out of your memories.
Most people have surreal manifestations of feelings in dreams. In this case it's easier to separate such dreams from reality.

[Asker]

I'll just have to deal with it from time to time. I'll never get over it. I has impacted my ability to trust people.

[normalice]

Of course. For example, remember with veterans PTSD only affects the survivors.

[Asker]

Indeed. I don't trust people like before anymore.

[Jazzy54]

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! Are you in counseling?

[Asker]

Nope I haven't gone to counseling.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing that's possible.

[Asker]

yeah I haven't been the same since

[Opinion Owner]

Sorry to hear that.

[poetic_pisces]

it is normal