- ARMED ROBBERY

As a person who has just been robbed, or witnessed a robbery, you may be feeling very "unsettled" right now. The robbery is a shock to your mind and body, much the same way as having an automobile accident would be.

The element of surprise adds to the shock of the event. No one ever really expects it to happen and is prepared for it.

If you feel angry, frightened, fearful or nervous, remember that almost everyone does have some negative response. You may cry easily, have a difficult time making decisions or be very irritable. You also may have difficulty sleeping or experience headaches or stomach problems, nightmares or daytime "flashbacks" - momentarily "reliving" the robbery in your mind.

Be sure to take particularly good care of yourself during the next two to three weeks - eating well, sleeping enough and getting plenty of exercise. By doing so, you will help your mind to readjust more quickly to the event that has occurred. A very important part of being good to yourself is finding and using a very good friend to talk with; a person to whom you can express all your thoughts and your friend responds by being kind, caring, uncritical and a good listener. By talking out your feelings they will be put in their proper place/perspective. Not facing what you feel, by refusing to discuss it/think about it is a poor choice; for any other traumatic event that might happen next will be even more upsetting due to the failure to "talk" this one through and take the time to recover.