Housing situations involving unauthorized occupants impact homeowners more than expected.
damage to property while And while legal fees can cost landlords a fortune, the impact on mental health can be severe.
Homeowners who have shared stories of unwanted residents living in their homes have often brought to light the emotional stress that results from these sometimes unimaginable experiences.
A Chicago woman named Darthula Young previously spoke to Fox News Digital about a squatter who lived in a property she inherited from her mother. According to Young, the man occupied the home from September 2022 to July 2023.
The impact of illegal occupants can go far beyond financial and court battles. The stressful situation can also take a toll on mental health. (iStock)
“It’s emotionally exhausting. It’s overwhelming,” Young previously told Fox News Digital.
“The first time I got access to my mother’s apartment and when The illegal occupants moved in, “We got a chance to get there and we were able to go in, but to go in there and see that somebody had taken all of her personal property and her things were there, I didn’t think it would make me emotional, but it did make me very emotional,” Young said.
“When I went through the process, I was completely overwhelmed by it,” Young said. “Everyone I’ve talked to who’s been through this is saying the same thing. They’re very overwhelmed by the situation.”
When someone invades a homeowner’s property, it takes away the sense of safety and security that one normally enjoys in a home. (iStock)
Home is a place that represents safety and security, and when that is taken away, the mind and body are affected.
“If we think about safety needs, our home is one of the things that represents security in terms of safety, stability and protection from harm,” Alexis Abate, a New Jersey-based licensed professional counselor and holistic mindset coach, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview.
When a person arrives at a house of a squatter, “the first thing they feel is a sense of violation. And at the same time, we also have to understand that Emotional stress can manifest as physical symptoms, And that long-term stress and anxiety can lead to health issues like insomnia, high blood pressure, back pain. It puts us in a state of fight or flight.”
Emotional stress and anxiety can translate into physical symptoms in the body, such as back pain and insomnia. (iStock)
Abate said when a person is traumatized on any level, violent or otherwise, the effects can be long-lasting.
“They attacked me and threatened me.” Patty Peoples, a homeowner from Florida, said, “I still have anxiety in my home because the squatters know my address, that they’re going to do something to my existing property, my pets and me. And, so, there’s all of this residual traumatic stress that comes from being in the middle of a squatter situation,” she previously told Fox News Digital about the squatters who have been living in her home for more than a month. “I still have anxiety in my home because the squatters know my address, that they’re going to do something to my existing property, my pets and me. And, so, there’s all of this residual traumatic stress that comes from being in the middle of a squatter situation.”
According to Abate, such a traumatic event “leaves a neural imprint on our brain.”
A traumatic event becomes something that cannot easily be ignored or forgotten. When someone goes through a traumatic situation, there are many resources available to help.
When a person goes through a tragic event, it leaves a lasting impact on the brain. (iStock)
Advice from the pros to protect your home from squatters
“A lot of times, it’s up to our loved ones and family members and our community. We can look to our churches,” Abate said. “Online, there are so many free resources. I always say, let’s use social media as a tool, and that’s where we can connect to find online therapists or psychiatrists or mental health professionals. If you’re not able to get transportation to see someone, there are so many convenient ways to get that help now.”
In addition to receiving support from others, homeowners who are facing or have faced unwanted squatters can find strength within themselves by seeking solutions that build inner strength and regain control.
“Also, I think grounding yourself and asking, ‘What can I control in this situation?’ is beneficial,” Abate said.
The financial stress for a homeowner is often unimaginable when a home is being squatted on. If the bills mount, seek advice from financial and legal professionals about your situation to recover lost money.
When you’re going through a tough time, lean on the people around you for support and guidance. (iStock)
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Take advantage of a lawyer’s expertise and contact a local lawyer for guidance in a squatting case Specializing in real estate litigation.
“Sometimes we don’t have all the answers, and we have to gain wisdom from the pain we’re experiencing in order to develop confidence and resilience,” Abate said.
To aid mental health stability, maintain regular exercise and healthy eating habits. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends making plenty of rest and outdoor activities a part of your daily life to give your body a break.
