A good night's sleep can fix anything ;) Hope you feel better in the morning!

Carrie,its Jennifer -believe me, i empathise!!
This morning my body and mind kicked into "high-alert-anxious-keyed up-hypo mode" - seemingly for no reason ie.no reason at that exact moment (there are a myriad of reasons for constant stress,day to day)and despite my best attempts,slowing my breathing,relaxing my muscles,calming my mind,visualising etc etc, i just COULD NOT get rid of the heightened anxiety that made me feel like i was going to explode from my body and mind!!
It is sooofrustrating,as it makes work impossible,it makes even a simple CONVERSATION impossible as, how do you latch onto ONE train of thought when there are a zillion flooding your mind!!
I hope to sleep looong,restfully and peacefully tonight and hope you do too!!
Jennifer

This happens to me sometimes, too! The thing I have found to be the best is to take some deep breaths, take a walk, do a Pilates DVD (the rhythmic, fast-paced movements give me my "endorphin" fix but the concentration needed helps me to chill out at the same time,) drink some tea and watch a cheesy TV show or a favorite movie, or read a chick lit book in the bathtub with a glass of wine.

I think you used some really good coping strategies here, by telling yourself that work was not going to be a good idea with the state you were in, telling someone about your anxiety, being honest about your desire for exercise, blogging, and deciding to go to sleep instead of do something destructive to yourself.

Sometimes it's just not a good night to get work done. It doesn't mean you will never be able to concentrate; it doesn't mean you should rule out a career. It just means that your body and mind are keyed up that night and need some TLC.

-From a fellow anxious black and white thinker :)

This too shall pass...or so they say. Honestly, this is pretty much exactly where I am right now. No matter how much I use "healthy" coping strategies, it feels like putting a band-aid on a bursting dam. I don't want to paint, I don't want to think, I want to exercise and numb so I don't have to be in the "now," to sit with these feelings and try to "fix" them.

However, I suppose (we) have to sit with it--a withdrawl process of sorts that leaves us uncomfortable in our own skin, our own thoughts, our own untrusting bodies? This too shall pass, and I hope today is better for you and you can find some peace.

I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious, I really sympathise! Sometimes trying to stay calm feels like a losing battle. I usually find that if I can think of a reason why things are so hard that day (it usually comes down to hormones for me, ugh) I don't get quite so caught up in it. But of course that's not ideal because when there's no logical reason for it I freak out! I really hope you feel better soon Carrie, I'm thinking of you.

I have periods of this type of anxiety, when I get carried away wondering what's next, if I'll be okay financially/emotionally/physically/etc. It's like my mind is constantly busy making lists of potential tragedies that could befall me. It really work out! I freelanced for about a year and I did have a lot of anxiety about my next assignment. Next, next, next. I chose to go back to a regular job, and then I got laid off...ha. So, ya, job security is really an illusion even if you do the traditional job with a predictable paycheck. I don't say that to be depressing, but to reiterate that working always carries with it some anxiety and, when it comes down to it, you are resourceful and you will be just fine. I struggle a lot with trusting this, even though life has always proven it's true!
Hope you got some sleep!

Hi Carrie, My name is Lauren and I am currently starting a blog for one of my university classes about eating disorders, and their effect on the mind and body. I am interested in getting some guest bloggers to write a post about their experiences. It can be anonymous, or have a link back to your blog if you would like. If you are interested if you could send me an email at be_ej@hotmail.com that would be great. Thanks! :)

Does the anxiety ever go away?

I'm new to therapy so I hardly know up from down, but it seems like the key is learning to live with bad feelings because, no, they don't go away. Is that right?

In the comments above, Abby mentioned "sitting with it." My therapists have used the same term. Sometimes sitting with it means literally sitting still, and sometimes it means waling, or writing, or whatever lets you feel your feelings without being overrun by them.

Anyway, it seems like you handled it as smoothly as possible. Best to you.

*walking

I came across this article and found it interesting, seeing as the last DSM discussion here was great.

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A411564&cb=5c2cc1ea78c015ef55d71dca9745ee39#comments

Sorry you're in a tough spot, remember that what goes up must come down, and riding out the anxiety is one of those unfortunate parts of recovery. But you can do it! Just checking in to see how you're doing, hope you had a restful night.

Hi Carrie

I'm really behind with reading posts, e-mails etc., but I just wanted to send you my best wishes and hope your anxiety has blown over...

I know what it's like, and I totally understand the urge/desire to exercise to relieve anxiety.

Take care

Cathy

I felt like that just yesterday. I was so anxious that I could not think, I could not sit still, and it got worse when my head was buzzing and my heart beating for fast for the whole day, when I realised that it was going to affect me finishing up my studies. As much as I pray for it to calm down. I must say I am very much jealous of my friends who can take things with ease.
sigh*