So It Goes, I'm wondering if you meant you were candid about your life events with everyone at your job? If so, that makes me curious about the overall workplace "culture" with which you deal. I believe being up front with folks is the best policy, however, it's come back to bite me in the butt in situations that may have been similar to yours. From that, I've learned to offer a bare bones explanation of what I may be facing, if that at all.

When at work, are you in a cube, or do you have the luxury of an office?

This may seem elementary, but when emotions become overwhelming, remove yourself from the office and head outside for a brisk walk, even if it's just around the building or in the parking lot. If you have access to a nearby gym, take lunch breaks there and beat the hell out of a punching bag (or do whatever other exercise you find cathartic). If there's a bathroom tucked away in the building somewhere that no one else seems to visit, go in there and scream.

When my concentration is shattered, I find walking away from a project, even for a few minutes, can often help me refocus. Remember where you left off, and as you go back to your desk, force yourself to mentally reattach to that aspect of the project with (hopefully) renewed vigor. I also have found working on several projects simultaneously helps me through rough spots, though that approach may not be for everybody, as some find it a scattered means of doing things. Not me--it's simply taking a local route until the interstate opens up again.

What are your usual outlets when dealing with intense feeling or loss of concentration? What do you do when you're home or elsewhere? How many of those strategies are applicable at work?

I wish you all the best, So It Goes. I know where you are, simply from a different starting point. I'm not sure any of my suggestions will work for you, but I certainly hope they do. If I can think of anything else that may be of use, I'll definitely pass it along.