You may want to experiment with a different lifestyle that may make you feel more secure. Trusting only those who have earned your trust, locking doors, staying with trusted friends, taking a self-defense course, etc. are all normal means to help you feel safer and regain a sense of control over your life. Top Anxiety, shaking, nightmares. This can begin shortly after the attack and can continue for a long period of time. They can also begin many years after an assault and can be triggered by events or people that may bring back memories of the assault.
Nightmares can take many different forms.
They can be a replay of the assault of be fear of dreams of being chased, trapped, etc. Dreams and flashbacks can be the way your emotions act out the fear you experienced. Top Talking about the attack vs. keeping the secret. There are risks involved in telling other people, for some people may not be supportive or understanding. Even worse, some people might not believe that the assault happened or they may blame the victim for what happened.