Gina Spielman

A normal reaction to trauma

I work in as a cashier in a convenience store and gas bar. Three nights ago this guy came in with a gun and made us lie on the floor as he emptied the register. He said if we moved he was going to kill us and he sounded really crazy or high. The police have a video of the guy but no ID and so it doesn’t look like they are going to catch him. I am having a hard time getting over the robbery. Every time the door chimes a new customer coming into the store my heart jumps and I get this fear like it’s going to be the same guy again. I know these guys will come back to places they rob and get away with more than once so it is totally possible that he will come back. I am also having nightmares about the robbery and I just feel so jittery and scared all the time. I guess how I am feeling is normal but I just want to know how long it’s going to take me to start feeling OK again?