I look at it as an overstimulation problem. You know how if a small child becomes over stimulated she will throw a fit which gets her removed from the situation and given a nap which reduces the stimulation making her feel better. I know comparing it to a child is irratating but I find that it is easier for me to understand and respond to myself if I use my mommy instinct on myself the same way I used it on my kids. So the first thing I try to do is to decipher whether or not my reaction is a reasonable response to the situation or if it is my disorder kicking up. If it is reasonable then I carry on always checking in with myself to make sure that my mood isn't getting too elevated to continue coping affectively with the situation.

If it is my disorder kicking up then I try to remove myself from the situation and go someplace quiet and preferably darkened thus reducing the stimulation as much as possible. Often this helps substantially and usually only takes 10 to 15 minutes to calm down because I am consciously taking care of the problem, completely aware that it is my disorder and not life in general. At work I use the ladies room, sit in the stall with my hands over my face and concentrate on my breathing. At home I go into my bedroom and shut the door after telling everyone I need a time out.

The trick is too know what is happening. I am getting very good at it now but still get swept away with the emotions on a regular basis. And then there are the times when just reducing stimulation doesn't work and I have to find other things to suppliment it. I have not gotten far in that arena but am working on it. I have recently "discovered" that high concentration activities such as working on book orders, dealing with lists of numbers or playing video games effectively seperates me from the overwhelming stimulation by focusing it in one place. Kind of a hypnotic sort of deal I guess.
Carrie

PS I would recommend reading the Enneagram books written by Helen Palmer. It describes several personality types, their foibles and their affect on ones life. But the twist is that they are looked at not as a deficeincy but as a vehicle for growth. It is fascinating to read and empowering as well. When I read about my type (the observer) it gave me all sorts of understanding of how I operate emotionally and helped me to figure out ways to use those quirks to my advantage.

<font color=green>But the implicit and usually unconscious bargain we make with ourselves is that, yes, we want to be healed, we want to be made whole, we're willing to go some distance, but we're not willing to question the fundamental assumptions upon which our way of life has been built, both personally and societally.--Bill Plotkin, Soulcraft