I love camping but I have been diagnosed with PTSD. I am not a Military Veteran. Mine comes from a childhood illness. I am on medication, but I do have severe panick attacks and I get really nervous when traveling away from home. I even have them at home and on occasion end up at the emergency room getting pumped full of drugs. I try to not let this stop me from enjoying our family vacations. Like I said....I love camping but always have that fear while we are out.I know I am not alone in this situation. I am just curious as to what do some of you other folks do to help and minimize the anxiety so that you can enjoy your traveling experiences.Thank you in advance......... As this has really had an impact on my family.

The more camping you do, the more your RV will become a home away from home and you will be more and more comfortable. So enjoy!

I don't have PTSD, but since medications seem to be an issue to you, I would advise you to do research before you choose a campsite and be sure that emergency services are close by and readily available. Also be sure that you have at least an extra weeks supply of meds along on the trip. Stuff happens and you don't need the extra frustration of not having enough meds along to handle an unexpected delay.

My adult daughter suffers from PTSD and anxiety from a severe car accident.I'm sorry you have to live with something that so many people don't understand.my only question, because you worry about it happening before you go, do you think that triggers a greater possibility of it happening? I know my daughter completely obsesses with things that it triggers a horrible anxiety attack. She is trying to learn not to obsess but it definitely is easier said then done.I hope you can find answers to help!!!!

I also suffer from illness-related PTSD. Water-Bug has given you some good advise. Knowing that you have the support services/meds close by can be very reassuring. And what Scott and and Gotsmart is very true. Once you spend a lot of time in the RV it does become a home away from home. Sometimes just facing the demons head on is the best medicine.Have you determined what your triggers are? I know that isn't always possible, but with the help of a therapist you might be able to and do your best to avoid them. If they just "happen", there are other techniques you can try to calm yourself down that don't employ meds. Mediation, concentrated breathing and distraction are a few. It's taken a lot of hard work, but I'm now at the point that when I feel an attack coming on, I do concentrated breathing and can beat the attack (about 95% of the time now). Check with your primary care doc and see if there's a PTSD specialist/therapist that you can work with to help you get through.

Camping with PTSD | Good Sam Community

Rollnhome
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
There is no cure for PTSD. Meds can reduce the anxiety but, you need to be aware of your weaknesses and triggers and prepare ahead to have an action to take should the need arise.
Only you know what will make you comfortable. Possibly short trips closer to home. Make your RV your second home. Try to detour your preoccupation of possibly having an attack with a hobby (learn to play a guitar or paint scenery of your trip), listing to music can be a detourant.
What advice does your therapist suggest. Everyone is different.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
It's funny about PTSD, no one in my family knows that several of my friends and I suffer with it. We are all Cold War vets and never had direct contact with enemy forces. My DGD without knowing what she is doing, senses when I am having a panic episode and tries to comfort me and get me to relax. She has been doing this for about five years now. My cat used to do that too. It may not be much help to you but all of us that have suffered through it, have found that peace and quiet sure helps calming the fears and panic.

Good luck and easing into longer and longer times away from home may just give you the ability not to panic and require being druged.
down_home
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2015
Water-Bug wrote:
I don't have PTSD, but since medications seem to be an issue to you, I would advise you to do research before you choose a campsite and be sure that emergency services are close by and readily available. Also be sure that you have at least an extra weeks supply of meds along on the trip. Stuff happens and you don't need the extra frustration of not having enough meds along to handle an unexpected delay.

There a few Military Camps where you may wake up to machine gun fire or tank firing which isn't all that loud the way the ranges are constructed. I hear a mortar or zzzzzzng or full auto I wake up instantly wiht my boots on and headed for the door.
pasusan
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
I agree with all the previous advice. Have you been to a therapist who works with EMDR? It is amazing how it can really work well with a lot of people with PTSD. It has to do with controlled eye movements to desensitize the triggers.

Good luck!
NCWriter
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
If you don't already have a dog, you might consider investigating the availability and commitment needed to get a dog trained for assisting with PTSD. RVing is a dog-friendly environment.
cdlaine
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
Discuss these concerns with your PCP and/or Therapist. Don't attempt
after any recent change in medication/dosages. Stay local. Utilize all your "safe" resources. Have a Plan "B". Be flexible. Short sojourns first so a clearly visible end-point is noted..even if that just means a stay-cation. Go slow. Single day camp, or single over night is o.k. until you see how things progress. Sometimes one step forward and two steps back is great. Have reliable , knowledgeable , familiar camp mates.

Good luck. Many here can relate in some form.

Charles
mlts22
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
One idea I have off the cuff is what NCWriter stated -- I know some PTSD sufferers who have a pet or two to help with traveling.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2015
I don't know the skills of your family, but for me some stress is relieved knowing my wife or daughter can do many of the tasks (driving, setting up, taking down, etc) should something happen to me. Just knowing they can do it helps a bunch.

Best wishes, enjoy!
PRodacy
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
Our friend has PTSD and does better when camping with a friend rather than going alone.
Dtank
Explorer
Jan 12, 2015
Many years ago, worked with a guy (non-military) who could not leave the city limits. (Small city, I might add).

It was pretty common knowledge among his co-workers, and never caused any problem with his competence or job performance.

Never knew what happened if he attempted to do that, but eventually he
was able to overcome the problem.

Hang in there - and consider the suggestions from other sufferers.
With all the military PTSD, there must be some forums for same - with solutions that might apply to you also.

.

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