Catdog,
I'm really new at this site but your post caught my eye...especially the part of starting up these new activities and if they are connected at all.

I'm quite a bit older than you, and what didn't work well for me was to attempt to rid myself of anxiety - I wasted alot of years reinforcing it I think.

What has helped me recently is getting a diagnosis (OCD), so it's good you have an appointment and can tailer something just for you...

and what has helped me some days (although it's counterintuitive, is to learn to sit with my anxiety, learn to be in that place where I'm living with uncertainty - I'm told that my brain won't pay as much attention to it then.