Hi Sandy

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}} if you want them

Yes, stress intensifies everything! One thing builds on another, and what you were handling ok before just becomes too much until someting becomes the straw that breaks the camel's back.

It's interesting that you hope you are more stable by the time you see your therapist on Friday. I've felt that way too. I didn't like going to therapy when I was the most symptomatic - I didn't get much out of it at those times. But, I also thought maybe it was good that he did see me when I was at close to my worst too, since the rest of the time I minimize it, so he really had no way to know how bad it got.

Most importantly, your therapist's job is to help you through this stuff. When you feel like you are right now, this is the time to call your therapist and ask for help getting through the current crisis. You don't have to struggle through it by yourself. Your therapist will appreciate it if you give him/her the chance to help you work it out before you do something that you will regret later on.

Ways to get grounded could include:
-talking to someone about it (your therapist, a friend, ... - keeping in regular contact with a friend is helping me a great deal to stay grounded)
-separating yourself from the situation, taking time out for yourself (you could take a long bubble bath, read a book, go for a walk, etc.)
- exercise
-making a list of the things that are stressing you out so that they are contained in one place and not flying wildly through your head at random intervals
-making a plan for addressing those things and getting them taken care of
- doing something just for fun
-starting on your list, and getting something done
- asking somebody to help you with the things that may feel overwhelming to you

Take care of yourself, and call your therapist.
Wendy