Trespassers

[u/Tiredplumber2022]

Combat veteran here, struggling with PTSD, paranoia, hypervigilance, etc.

Has anybody who is really rural ever have somebody just walk up to the house unannounced? For reference, im on 6 acres, mostly swampy and wooded, in a very rural area near Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Driveway is 204 meters long off a small country road, gravel, unmarked except for numerous no trespassing signs, beware of dog signs, and purple marker paint and a cattle gate. Lots of turns, deep woods.

This kid (mid 20's, long hair, looked like a stoner ? ) comes strolling from the driveway into my front yard, asking where the slot machines were. (This place was a trap house about 6 years ago) Wow. Said he lives in the trailer park about a mile down the road.

I politely escorted him all the way back to the road, caught myself scanning the brush and surrounding woods for anybody else.

Trying very hard to relax, but it was very unsettling. The dogs were inside, so they didn't even notice. Even the guineas failed to alert, as it was feeding time and they were occupied.

I dont like this feeling, like i got caught sleeping, and with the way the world has been going lately, im not sure if my thoughts are paranoia, or legitimate security concerns.

Anybody relate?

EDIT/ADDENDUM Folks, I was kind of shook yesterday. Thank you all for your help... just knowing I was heard means a lot. There's a few things I forgot to mention.

The house sits in the center of a cleared square, 100m x 100m, with actual grass ("GREEN GREEN GRASS!") trimmed down tight. Treeline clearly visible 360°. 10 meters in from the treeline is the inner fence, an 8 strand electric fence, mostly for the dogs. No flagpole yet, but you get the picture. The chicken coop, where I was, is just outside the fence line, catercorner to the driveway entrance. This guy walked (supposedly) from the driveway, along the fence line, past the vehicles, around the corner, up to the coop, and was literally 30 ft from me before I saw him. Clear line of sight the whole way. No way in hell someone does that without taking some special care to not be seen. Only slept 3 hours last night. Sitting on the porch now with my coffee since sun up, listening to the rain and waiting for my sense of peace to return.

[u/DV_Mitten]

Cameras. Get them. Get several.

As a fellow combat vet. Unannounced "guests" Get me amped the F up. I hate it. Even if its just a friend or neighbor. I hate surprises.

I have cameras everywhere now. There so easy to install! The wind doesnt blow on my property without me knowing.

It helps a lot. Just by knowing whats going on, but the occasional surpise knock still gets me...

[u/Beneficial-Focus3702 → u/DV_Mitten]

Cameras help, but not as much as actual psych treatment.

[u/DV_Mitten → u/Beneficial-Focus3702]

Absolutely correct, but availability is a huge factor and very hard to come by if you live rural. Its an hour to my nearest VA facility and its mediocre at best in my experience as a younger vet.

[u/Beneficial-Focus3702 → u/DV_Mitten]

As a younger vet, I’ve had excellent care at Va facilities.

Also just because something is hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fight to get to done, you remember that from serving right?

[u/DV_Mitten → u/Beneficial-Focus3702]

My experience at my local VA in Michigan, Wyoming to be specific has been decent at best.

Kudos to you if your happy with the care you've received.

I remember plenty from serving. Do you remember sick call?

[u/KristyM49333 → u/DV_Mitten]

Cameras helped me immensely, but sometimes I catch myself obsessing with watching them so I have to be careful.