I was once sexually assaulted. A few years later I took a day-long self defense class and almost had a melt down when i had some flashbacks during the class. About two weekends ago I had a horrifying experience (two men chased me down an empty street) and when two other strangers came up and  men scampered off I broke down crying...All I could think was that the only thing I had to protect myself was my cell phone---and that is totally useless! SO I was considering taking martial arts...But I'm scared to for a few reasons 1...having flashbacks in front of a room full of people is embarrassing! 2. I'm afraid it will give me false confidence and not really help me the next time i find myself in similar a situation.

What do you think karatekid?

I'd say go for it. I was sexually assualted twice before I took up martial arts. I didn't really have a problem with flashbacks, but I also explained to my instructors about my situation. They totally understood. Any good instructor will. But I would advice AGAINST those day long self defense classes. Most of them are useless. The best line of defense first and formost is walk with confidence. If you are walking to your car at night, have your keys in your hand (don't fumble around for them), park in a well lit area, NEVER have your hands in your pockets, and be aware of your surroundings. There's good reasons for this. If something or a place don't feel right, don't go there. It usually isn't. Bad guys look for prey that's unprepared, sheepish (looking down), and not looking around or hurt in some way. NEVER yell help if your in trouble. Yell FIRE! If someone hears help, they usually assume it's a boyfriend/girlfriend spat, and won't help.

If you want, you can private messege me with your location (city and state) and I can look up a martial arts studio for you. Martial arts DID work for me. And I was training only 9 months at the time (for the 3rd attack that I kicked his booty hehehehe).