I Feel Like Society's Cast Away

You are not alone. We too have experienced the emotional and physical devastation from the crime and then being denied justice. You never get closure and with fraud, it is the crime that keeps taking, because of the mess it makes of your life.

The trauma continues with the protracted legal battle in civil court to resolve the mess. Most fraud victims call it an "emotional mugging."

If you are experiencing four or more of the symptoms below, please call a friend or family and tell them you are not okay and need help.

Please don't isolate yourself. After the list is a link for help and support.

Common Symptoms

1. I have trouble concentrating or remembering things.

2. I avoid -- don't engage in -- what needs to be done.

3. I have many unfinished projects, assignments, and tasks.

4. I am hoarding things and it is out of control.

5. I have overwhelming clutter in my home, or car, or office.

6. I'm anxious -- I can't relax.

7. Certain sights, sounds, or smells, trigger anxiety/fear as though the incident is happening again.

8. It feels like I'll never be okay.

9. I'm paralyzed by anxiety and often feel overwhelmed.

10. I'm not coping well, and avoid people and situations.

11. I'm financially ruined and I don't see how I'll ever recover.

12. I have had trouble holding down a job -- any stress or difficulty, I quit or have been fired.

13. I feel disconnected from people.

14. I think about death often -- I wonder why I'm alive (please see our help page).

15. Friends or family often tell me that I'm negative or pessimistic.

16. I mostly feel sad, empty, abandoned, and alone.

17. I cry often, or am weepy, and or feel maudlin.

18. I feel hopeless, helpless, worthless, and powerless.

19. I over eat, or, binge, to medicate my feelings.

20. I don't have an appetite -- I've lost weight.

21. I drink alcohol to calm my nerves, or, because I'm unhappy.

22. I consume drugs to calm my nerves, or sleep, or cope, or, the stress is too much.

23. I can't sleep because I can't stop thinking about what happened.

24. I feel like my life doesn't matter to anyone.

25. I have persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

26. I am nonfunctional -- staying in bed or laying on the couch frequently.

27. I'm stressed and or intense most of the time.

28. I often feel internal rage (see our dealing with rage section) and get upset easily.

29. I'm angry about what happened to me - I never got closure.

Explore Related Pages

Other viewers that came to this page, also found the topics below helpful.

Impotent Rage

You've been through hell and inside you feel like a bomb about to explode. Psychologists call it Impotent Rage We have strategies from a psychologist to help you.

Starting Over

Starting over, can and typically involves cleaning the mess on our credit reports.

WJFA provides 11 steps on how to rebuild your credit rating.

Take Action

Don't ever give up is WJFA's battle cry to victims. Take Action is our help center. Everything from how to file a criminal complaint, to an on-line group for emotional support. 

How to File a Complaint

Getting law enforcement or District Attorneys attention when a white-collar crime occurs, is frustrating for fraud victims. WJFA provides sample formats and guidelines for an effective communication to get law enforcement's attention.

Legal Self Help

WJFA's volunteers have a bevy of tips to help you navigate the legal system.  If you don't find it here, the support group may be able to help.