I can't sleep! Feel trapped

[Miriam C.]

If I can throw my two and a half cents in here....

Miriam posted what I was thinking when I first started reading this thread. She got it on the board before me. It very well could be the smells. "Itty-Bitty" is 40" wide and just shy of 7 feet. I don't have a problem sleeping in it; but the walls have been spar varnished for over a year now and the smell still hasn't gone away. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it yet.

You might want to try a little aroma therapy. A scented candle burnt inside for a while before you retire (blown out of course once you're in for the night). Maybe some lavender inside the pillow case? I'm told that is supposed to help you sleep more relaxed.

Others have mentioned copious amounts of adult beverages, which is fine. I'm just no longer a fan of waking up in the morning tasting the garbage truck that drove through my mouth during the night.

I corrected that to Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac. Works great. You might want to sand and cover a piece of wood and see if you can still smell it. Only takes an hour to get that smell out.

[ARKPAT]

TENNJIM
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:
Since you are more comfortable with the door(s) open and after looking at the pics, I also think the small windows high-up on the door may be an issue. If you can't see out, you are effectively down in a box-that would bother me too. Short of reworking the doors/windows, it seems to me that the side-tent with a door open or side screen(s) with door(s) open may work.
Cool
Jim B / Utah

After I became an Asthmatic ( many years ago ) I had problems in small places. I made a 4 foot wide and worked out the issues. I also left a open seam I could look out when I was inside until I became comfortable with the small spaces. I still do not have a window in the trailer. I'm still working on that as I become more at ease with the small spaces. Ventilation is a big concern....ie....open door ( I still do that until a window is installed ).

A small slow moving fan to move air inside the trailer ( low noise ) will help the stuffy air feeling. You can make a 12 or 9 volt DC fan slower speed.



Pat

[hiker chick]

Count me among those who advocate as much glass as you can get in those doors -- with a good bit of it screened.

My teardrop would seem closed in with your little windows and mine's 6-feet wide.

Might you also look into a sunroof? Hasn't someone else done that?

[emiller]

I know both SSR Jim and Gage have sun roofs.

[kennyrayandersen]

My wife is claustrophobic as well. She almost missed out on getting her open water certification because when she put on all the gear, she freaked out a bit. Luckily, we actually ran into another scuba diver that was claustrophobic as well. He said what he does is put on everything on piece at a time and then he gets used to it. First the wetsuit… get in the water and splash around a bit, then the fins… swim and splash some more, mask etc. Once he finally gets everything on he said he was fine. So, we tried it and it worked! You may want to work your way into the tear a little bit at a time. I also like the suggestions of a bigger window/screen, and a side tent – anything that will give you the allusion of more space. I’ll be building a 5’ wide for this very reason, I think my wife would be too cramped in a 4 footer.

[Shadow Catcher]

I know that Nancy is mildly claustrophobic and had not even considered anything less than a five wide. We ended up with the Mega Mini which is six wide and essentially squared off inside with light colored walls and large windows. A number of options a skylight and doors that are essentially all glass and that can include adding larger windows to the existing ones. if the interior is not already a light color, make it so and perhaps even mirrors to visually open up the inside.
In the job that I had, nondestructive testing, it meant that often I had to crawl inside tanks that covered thousands of square feet to ones where I could not straighten out (fold, spindle, and mutilate) I worked with folks that could no way no how do that, some even the large tanks. do not be afraid to alter your tear to what you need and enjoy.

[caseydog]

Also, on a few of the campouts when I had to share a 4 wide with Dean, I ended up moving and sleeping in the back of the truck (air bed or Coleman flat mattress) or the cab of the truck.

Even a six-wide can not do anything about snoring.

CD

[Micro469]

It's curious because I'm a little claustraphobic also. I find that I sleep better with no lights on and the TD completely dark. That way I can't see the walls or ceiling and so don't realize the size. My bedroom is completely dark at home so it feels the same way. I only feel closed in when I slide down too far and my feet press against the back wall...

[tearhead]

Chiming in as a psychologist and not just a teardrop freak~

Sounds like all of the ideas above have merit. You might want to try sleeping in a tear with bigger windows, just to see if that helps, or one that has off-gassed all the smells from construction.

If I were treating you at the office, we would start by constructing a hierarchy of feared stimuli, and begin with the least threatening one. We would have you perhaps spend some time relaxing in a larger travel trailer, then a slightly smaller one and so forth.

Sounds like being in your tear with the door open in daytime is okay, but what about at dusk or at night with the door open? If you can relax with the door open and sleep (here's where you need a side tent--we got the Coleman beach shelter for around $50 and that nestles up against the tear and it's possible to sleep with the door open on that side and still have a bit of privacy) that's good. Then once you get comfortable with that, try it with the door ajar, then with the door shut and the window open, etc.

Of course it might be simpler to get bigger windows, take Tylenol p.m., etc. Getting a better mattress or changing the sheets might help. Or making it up like your bed at home instead of using a sleeping bag (if you are).

I find this really interesting. I have very mild claustrophobia. Oddly, the last time I felt it was at Cabela's which isn't exactly a tiny place. I find the teardrop comforting, like a return to the womb. In fact, when I can't sleep at home, I visualize being in the teardrop. Maybe when you're having trouble falling asleep in the camper, you could visualize sleeping in your own bed.

[Micro469]

Chiming in as a psychologist and not just a teardrop freak~

Sounds like all of the ideas above have merit. You might want to try sleeping in a tear with bigger windows, just to see if that helps, or one that has off-gassed all the smells from construction.

If I were treating you at the office, we would start by constructing a hierarchy of feared stimuli, and begin with the least threatening one. We would have you perhaps spend some time relaxing in a larger travel trailer, then a slightly smaller one and so forth.

Sounds like being in your tear with the door open in daytime is okay, but what about at dusk or at night with the door open? If you can relax with the door open and sleep (here's where you need a side tent--we got the Coleman beach shelter for around $50 and that nestles up against the tear and it's possible to sleep with the door open on that side and still have a bit of privacy) that's good. Then once you get comfortable with that, try it with the door ajar, then with the door shut and the window open, etc.

Of course it might be simpler to get bigger windows, take Tylenol p.m., etc. Getting a better mattress or changing the sheets might help. Or making it up like your bed at home instead of using a sleeping bag (if you are).

I find this really interesting. I have very mild claustrophobia. Oddly, the last time I felt it was at Cabela's which isn't exactly a tiny place. I find the teardrop comforting, like a return to the womb. In fact, when I can't sleep at home, I visualize being in the teardrop. Maybe when you're having trouble falling asleep in the camper, you could visualize sleeping in your own bed.

That's funny..... The one store I refuse to go in is Ikea..... They have you walking around like a rat in a maze. I had an attack in there when I was on the second floor with no quick exit. Poor salesgirl probably still remembers a crazy old man screaming at her to get him out.......

[tearhead]

I feel better now! I could see having one in IKEA--it is a LOOOONG way to the exit!

One more thing on the "sleep hygeine" issue (yep, that's what they call it). Keeping as close to the usual routine is helpful--similar diet, bedtime, wake time, etc.--should help.

[bobhenry]

Count me among those who advocate as much glass as you can get in those doors -- with a good bit of it screened.

My teardrop would seem closed in with your little windows and mine's 6-feet wide.

Might you also look into a sunroof? Hasn't someone else done that?

one of the smartest things I ever did.....

The hum of a small fan and the breeze takes my mind off of my panic button. It is funny to many folks. I would like to go on record I am not one of them. The panic is real and very disconcerting

[planovet]

My wife is claustrophobic as well.

As is Cindi. As long as I can turn over I'm fine. But Cindi is why I made Little Switzerland taller than normal. When people walk up to it they comment on how tall it is. I would have liked to make it shorter than my TV but I wanted as much interior space as possible for Cindi to be comfortable in. It seems to have worked. She doesn't have any problems sleeping in it. Rileydog, I hope that you can work it out so that you can enjoy your teardrop.

[rileydog]

Such great tips!!!!!

hikerchic, your TD is FABULOUS! I would love to have doors like that! I think yours would solve all my problems.. want to trade? lol

Tearhead.. thanks for the professional input.. I really don't think I'm claustrophobic though. I know my mom is and can't even stand the thought of a tanning bed.. It's never been a problem for me. I do have horrible insomnia anyhow, I guess I should have mentioned that, but with the help of my beloved Ambien I still do pretty well, except in the TD.

The smells are certainly a possiblity, they still bother me, so I will check that out and try that coating. (Thank you!)

I do have a ceiling fan which I keep open but don't run unless it's hot out because it's a bit much actually.

I do have my cocktails before bed, yes, hence the wine glass, ;-), but not a fan of passing out. Kinda like to enjoy my next morning.

I know when sleeping though I've never been able to sleep facing someone or against a wall though for the breathing thing so sadly, maybe it's a bit of suffocation factor. I like the idea of the coleman beach tent against it, I think I 'll try that first, unless I can have some tent doors made for it, then if I get better, the larger windows are for sure. That was one thing I was not happy with ,the size of these windows. They are TINY! I think larger windows are in order if it seems that I'm going to be able to make this one work for me.

I did find a place yesterday that makes custom sized tent doors, so I'm thinking of trying those at first.. will allow lots of fresh air without bugs and can close the full cover for privacy if needed. I'm really not worried about sleeping with the doors open, I've camped in tents for years, if someone wants to come in, is a flismsy tent door really going to keep you safe? lol.....

[dreadcptflint]

Hi all!!!

I napped during the day with the door open and that was better. I know we discussed hanging some screen by the doors, just curious if anyone had any other ideas.

If anyone can help I'l appreciate it! I love camping and my TD but our relationship isn't getting off to a very good start since I can't sleep.

Here is a wierd one, just sleep with the door or doors open? I usually sleep with my door open because I like the outdoor breeze. I chaulk it up to years of tent camping. We have curtains that hang done that keep out the bugs and if it starts raining and such I just shut the door.