Horror of Manchester attack still haunts me… but I’ll learn to love life again, says Kirkintilloch woman

A WOMAN caught up in the Manchester Arena bombing has revealed she’s been left traumatised.

Weeks on from the atrocity, Lauren Baxter is haunted by nightmares and has been left terrified of crowds.

Experts have told The Sunday Post her reaction to the awful incident is symptomatic of post-traumatic stress disorder, which is often experienced by servicemen who have seen armed combat.

It is likely many people who attended the event will experience similar anxieties, with many requiring counselling.

Lauren, a music student from Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, escaped with her best friend Gail Cassells after the bomb went off.

In the aftermath of the explosion, which killed 22 people, Lauren witnessed scenes of “utter carnage”.

The 20-year-old is haunted by the night’s awful events and suffers recurring nightmares.

“I dream I’ve lost my parents and terrible things have happened to my family,” she said.

“Shortly after I came home I went into town with my mum Lynne.

“We would normally have spent a few lovely hours shopping but I hated being in the city. I wanted to leave straight away.

“Everywhere I go I find myself scanning the people, looking for anyone suspicious.

“I hate seeing people with backpacks, because that’s what the bomber used.”

Recently Lauren found herself at a play when someone fainted on stage.

“I immediately looked round for a gunman,” she says. “My first thought was that they had been shot.”

Lauren is sure the many hundreds of people who were at the stadium that night will be experiencing the same feelings.

“I’m sure I must speak for others suffering the same,” she added.

“My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones or whose relatives were seriously injured.

“We cannot let terrorists rule our lives, we must try to go on as normal.

“But it is hard and I hope that, in time, I can begin to relax and enjoy life again.”

Lauren who funds her studies with a job at the Co-op, was signed off work and college for two weeks after the concert. She had to seek her GP’s help with her anxiety.

“I had been through a nightmare and was struggling to take it all in,” she added.

Mum Lynne and HGV driver dad Andy, drove through the night to reach her and friend Gail at their Manchester hotel.

“I can only imagine what was going through their minds.

“My mum insisted we stay in our room and not move until she arrived. They were just desperate to get to us.

“As we sat in our hotel room waiting for my parents, we watched the TV news.

“During that time I was constantly checking my door and windows to make sure there was no one else out there.

“I just hope I can eventually put the feelings that night has caused behind me.”

Anxiety and stress are perfectly normal responses to being caught up in a terrifying attack says Glasgow-based psychologist Dr Cynthia McVey.

“This is normal for people caught up in events like this,” she said.

“It can take a long time for them to recover, so it is important to seek psychological help.”