Housing situations involving squatters have more serious consequences for landlords than expected.
While property damage and legal fees can cost homeowners money, the mental health effects can be serious.
Homeowners who shared their stories of unwanted residents living in their homes often highlighted the emotional stress that comes from sometimes unfathomable experiences.
A Chicago woman named Darthula Young previously spoke to Fox News Digital about a squatter who was living in a property she inherited from her mother. The individual took possession of the home from September 2022 to July 2023, according to Young.
The consequences of squatting can go beyond financial issues and legal battles. The stressful situation can also be a burden on mental health. (iStock)
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“It’s emotionally draining. It’s overwhelming,” Young told Fox News Digital.
“The first time I got access to my mother’s apartment and when the squatters moved in, we got access and were able to get in, but to be there and see that someone has completely taken over all of her personal property and her stuff is there, I didn’t think it would make me emotional, but it did make me very emotional,” Young said.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by this process,” Young said. “The people I’ve talked to who are going through this are saying the same thing. They’re so overwhelmed by it.”
When someone invades a homeowner’s property, it can cause them to lose the sense of security that a home usually provides. (iStock)
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A home is a place that represents safety and security, and when this is removed, the brain and body are affected.
“If we think about safety needs, our home is one of those things that represents safety in terms of security, 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 and finds themselves in a squat, “they first feel a sense of violation. And with that, we also have to understand that emotional stress can manifest itself in physical symptoms, and chronic stress and anxiety can lead to health problems like insomnia, high blood pressure, back pain. It puts us in this fight-or-flight state.”
Emotional stress and anxiety can manifest into physical symptoms in the body, such as back pain and insomnia. (iStock)
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When trauma happens to a person, no matter how severe, violent or otherwise, it can have a lasting impact, Abate said.
“They assaulted me and threatened me,” Patti Peeples, a Florida homeowner, told Fox News Digital of the squatters who lived in her home for more than a month. “I’m always worried here in my home because the squatters know my address, they’re worried that they’re going to do something to my current property, to my pets, to me. And so, it’s all residual traumatic stress that comes from being in the middle of a squatting situation.”
A traumatic event like this leaves “a neural imprint on our brain,” Abate said.
The traumatic event becomes something that cannot easily be put aside or forgotten. When a person is going through a traumatic situation, there are many resources available to help them.
When an individual experiences a tragic event, it leaves a lasting impact on their brain. (iStock)
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“A lot of times we lean on our loved ones, our family members, our community. We can turn to our churches,” Abate said. “There are tons of free resources online. I always say use social media as a tool, and that’s where we can connect to find therapists, psychiatrists, or mental health professionals online. If you don’t have transportation to get to someone, there are so many convenient ways to get that support today.”
In addition to finding support from others, homeowners who are experiencing or have experienced unwanted occupation by a squatter can find strength within themselves by seeking solutions that build their inner strength and allow them to regain control.
“I also find it beneficial to refocus and ask yourself, ‘What can I control in this situation?’” Abate said.
The financial stress for a homeowner invaded by a squatter is often unimaginable. If bills are piling up, consult financial and legal professionals about your situation to recover the money lost.
When you’re going through a difficult time, lean on those around you for support and guidance. (iStock)
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Benefit from the expertise of a lawyer to guide you in a squatting case and get in touch with a local lawyer specializing in real estate disputes.
“Sometimes we don’t have all the answers, and building confidence and resilience is about gaining wisdom in the face of the pain we feel,” Abate said.
To promote stable mental health, maintain regular physical activity and healthy eating habits. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends making sure you get enough rest and engaging in daily outdoor activities to relax your body.
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