Housing situations involving squatters affect homeowners in more ways than anticipated.
While property damage and legal fees can cost homeowners money, the mental health effects can be severe.
Homeowners who have shared their stories of unwanted residents living in their homes have often brought to light the emotional stress that arises from sometimes unfathomable experiences.
A Chicago woman named Darthula Young previously spoke to Fox News Digital about a squatter living in a property she inherited from her mother. The individual took over the home from September 2022 to July 2023, according to Young.
The consequences of squatting can go beyond finances and litigation. The stressful situation can also put a strain on mental health. (iStock)
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“It's emotionally draining. It's overwhelming,” Young previously told Fox News Digital.
“When I first had access to my mom's apartment and when the squatters moved in, we were able to get in, but to be there and see that someone had totally appropriated all of her personal property and her stuff was there, I didn't think I would be thrilled, but I was very thrilled,” Young said.
“As I went through this process, I felt totally overwhelmed,” Young said. “People I've talked to who are going through this situation say the same thing. They're very overwhelmed by the situation.”
When someone invades a homeowner's property, it can take away the sense of security and protection that a home normally provides. (iStock)
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A home is a place that represents security and protection, and when that disappears, the brain and body are affected.
“If we think about security needs, our home is one of those things that represents security in terms of safety, stability and protection from harm,” Alexis Abate, a licensed professional counselor and holistic mindset coach based in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview.
When someone comes home to an occupied home, “the first thing they feel is a sense of violation. And with that, we also have to understand that emotional stress can manifest itself in physical symptoms, and that chronic stress and anxiety can lead to health problems like insomnia, high blood pressure, back pain. It puts us in that fight-or-flight state.”
Emotional stress and anxiety can transform into physical symptoms in the body, such as back pain and insomnia. (iStock)
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Abate said that when trauma, on any scale, happens to a person, whether violent or otherwise, it can have a lasting impact.
“I was attacked and threatened,” Florida homeowner Patti Peeples previously told Fox News Digital of the squatters who lived in her home for more than a month. “I'm still concerned here in my own home because the squatters know my address, that they're going to do something to my current property, to my pets, to me. And so these are all residual traumatic stresses that come from being in the middle of a squatting situation.”
A traumatic event like this leaves “a neuronal imprint in our brain,” according to Abate.
The traumatic event becomes something that cannot be easily set aside or forgotten. When a person goes through a traumatic situation, there are many resources for help.
When an individual suffers a tragic event, it leaves a lasting impact on the brain. (iStock)
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“A lot of times, we rely on our loved ones and family, and also our community. We can turn to our churches,” Abate said. “There are tons of free resources online. I always say to use social media as a tool, and that's where we can find therapists, psychiatrists or mental health professionals online. If you can't afford transportation to go see someone, there are now so many convenient ways to get that support.”
In addition to finding support from others, homeowners who are experiencing or have experienced squatting can find power within themselves by seeking solutions that build their inner strength and regain control.
“I also find it beneficial to ground yourself and ask yourself, 'What can I control in the situation?'” Abate said.
The financial stress experienced by a homeowner who has been the victim of a squatter is often unimaginable. If bills are piling up, consult with financial and legal professionals about your situation to recover lost money.
When you're going through a difficult time, lean on those around you for support and guidance. (iStock)
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Take advantage of the experience of an attorney to guide you through a squatter case and contact a local attorney who specializes in real estate litigation.
“Sometimes we don't have all the answers, and building trust and resilience involves gaining wisdom through the pain we're experiencing,” Abate said.
To help maintain mental health, stay mobile, exercise regularly and maintain healthy eating habits. Make sure you get plenty of rest and make outdoor activities a part of your daily routine to relax your body, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends.
