I *will* be busy, so maybe that's a plus. No time to panic, at least. Angst, yes. Panic, no. Thanks!

Regulating my breathing is all I need to get over an oncoming panick attack. By just paying attention to it, you tend to breath more deeply, more slowly ... this slows the heart rate, calms the nerves.

For more persistent anxiety .... I simply suffer it. No cure known to me.


BTW, if you're upcoming vacation is going to be your general life anxiety-reliever, I don't see how you could give it up. Postponement might be a neet idea though. (and if it's really going "back east," um, yeah, giving it up might be all the stress relief you need.)

I think exercise might help. The problem is the attacks are sort of hitting at times when I'm either supposed to be getting ready for work, or while I'm at work. Bah.

I think lists and exercise are going to be the way to go. It's mostly manifesting itself as bowel discomfort, heart palpitations and slight breathlessness. So maybe some deep breaths are in order, as well.

I know I can handle what needs to be handled, and the lists should help me figure out HOW. Thanks!

Can't, for mental reasons and fiscal ones. If I understand correctly, the flight (a birthday gift) isn't refundable. Also, I haven't had a vacation in two years, and part of this anxiety is the result of really needing to getaway. My parents can always help me in a pinch (I can bunk with them for a couple of weeks if I can't secure the place in the time planned). I'm sure some of this, in addition to the planning, is simply having to deal with the roommate situation while I'm figuring this all out. It's a sticky, sad situation, though it's not as terrible as I was expecting after breaking the news of my leaving to her.

Anyway, thanks. I do appreciate the advice. I'm sure that would be the easiest resolution, but it's not gonna happen.

Coping with moves is supposed to be right below coping with death on the stress scale. I've had some close-call (how will I get packed in time?!?!?!) moves. I'll just have to plan a head and be packed well in advance. Good thing I've already started that phase.

Okay, I seem to be calming down a bit. You guys have been great. Really.

I'm going to be staying in rural New Jersey, by a lake, peeping at leaves and reading books. One Halloween party gathering weekend with a bunch of friends, and then just my good friend R and I being lazy and doing not a whole heck of a lot. Not a stress to the wallet or the mind. And totally needed.

In the meantime, deep, deep breaths.

Yes, deep deep breaths! Also envisioning yourself in your bucolic New Jersey lake vacation can also help you relax and get a grip on the anxiety.

I agree (BtD?) with lists, they help a lot. I know all about needing a vacation and since I just crossed the great continental divide, moves can be stressful too. But, this is also where you call in your chits with friends to help you out, those you are comfy with, like help packing, etc. One box at a time and my big advice is, purge whatever you can! I found 3 boxes that I moved from CA to VA 7 years ago, still unpacked in a closet. Those got pitched pronto!

In the meantime, deep breaths and visualization lolling by the lake!:cool:

True that. I feel like since I survived the move from hell (in which the house that we would be moving to wasn't available in time and the house we were in had already been given notice on) while nine months pregnant and planning a homebirth, there isn't anything short of death that could possibly be worse.

There were definitely anxiety attacks in that situation. I handled it mainly by freaking out a lot, crying, vomitting and pacing. Oh, then I made a plan. The plan helped probably the most. :p

A good escape from anxiety? Loud, rip your clothes off, head-board-banging, sweaty, waking up the neighbors, breaking furniture, make the cat freak out, pass out afterwards because you are hyperventilating, monkey sex.