If you're one of those people who, like me, is stuck with loving aloof, unresponsive beings (cats, that is), go to a pet adoption center and play with the kittens. The staff usually appreciate anyone who will help them interact with the animals. As others have said, distraction is all-important. Work can sometimes bring me out of it , though not always. I also use a combination of DBT tools that sounds ridiculously simple but has helped at times. I take a deep breath, slowly count to three on the exhale, and repeat as many times as necessary until I start to feel calmer. Then I describe what is happening to me in the most neutral language possible. "I'm making a lot of mistakes." "This person keeps interrupting me." This doesn't always work, but when it does, it gives me a little distance and the opportunity to think of reasons for what's happening other than that I'm a terrible incompetent person, etc.