[bpd2]

So, made it through Christmas remarkably well--except that I had this weird thing going on with my voice: every time I talked, it was sort of a sqwak...It's what happens to me when I am having trouble talking at all (as in, very, very nervous). I nodded a lot, let my eyes shift away from speakers who were talking to more people than me. It looked like I was listening, and it was polite.

But I did manage to work on complimenting everyone there (only 6 other people, not that hard).

And I limited my escapes to the bathroom to two in three hours. (NORMAL, right?) In the bathroom, I splashed my face with cold water, then held my earlobes with cold fingertips and put cold water behind my ears--instant relief. Anyone else ever try that?

On the drive home, I named the things for myself that I had done well, that had gone well.

Yesterday was a laze around for everyone day. Today, I've arranged a day when the kids are gone all day until 5:00, while my husband does some paperwork that he brought home. He'll be upstairs all morning, I'll be down. I'm pretty wound up, and getting a little snappy.

Any other strategies to help control anxiety through the rest of the holidays--and at the social gatherings?

[Skully]

Ever try meditation? I find that it controls my anxiety quite well. When I start to feel anxious I will meditate for 15 minutes. That does the trick every time.

[cluelessgluten]

Originally Posted by bpd2

And I limited my escapes to the bathroom to two in three hours. (NORMAL, right?) In the bathroom, I splashed my face with cold water, then held my earlobes with cold fingertips and put cold water behind my ears--instant relief. Anyone else ever try that?

Any other strategies to help control anxiety through the rest of the holidays--and at the social gatherings?

I do the bathroom thing alot myself. not behind the ears but I do splash my face with water.

I could use some of other techniques myself.

Christmas day was OK but had to deal visits to dad and then mom after that. not bad but there was alot of anxiety. Then there was the in-laws what a joy that was. Yesterday not a good day at all. started out cranky and irritable snapping at everyone. I stayed home and avoided human contact. then I went into my downward spiral of depression and was tired all day. then last night I coudn't sleep. just could not get settled. I only had two big cups of coffee all day. I have had more and had no trouble sleeping. I wonder sometimes if days like yesterday aren't triggered by days like christmas day. I really need to start logging these events.

[bpd2]

I absolutely build in zone-out days. Many, many lessons on that one. And I and my family have talked about it: it's what do now--and on the day immediately following any therapy days I have. I need process time...cheese, wine, not just cooling down the baked cake.

[cluelessgluten]

I dont have any built in zone out days but I sure seam to take alot of them. I have to take leave from work because I get burnt out and cant take it anymore. and the worst part is its my own fault. I can't leave things unfinished at work. I obsese about them until its all done. cause I just no if I leave it won't get done or done correctly. I the folks that work for crazy. and thats another thing when did I become the "MAN". I use to be the guy stick in it to the MAN. I need to stop caring so much. I was told that I was given my position because know the job and care enough to make sure its done right. Thats what I get. I asked them to let me have the late shift which is a loner shift from 7pm to 7am so I could go to college full time. but no they wanted to promote to head honcho. why do I have to be so obsesive. so I have to take breaks from work and get away from all the stress of people who don't seem to care as much as I do. Then I come home and obsese about the house. start projects. clean up all over. thats if im not depressed I have spent my entire leave period in bed before. my wife hates it. she says oh its going to be one of these leave periods where nothing gets done. oh well... she says. OMG am I that predictable. I am on leave for two weeks this time and my wife and kids said I cant work on the house. Its not fair. I have so much to do. Well I will at least clean and get things squared away before I go.

[sneaker_pimpin101]

Christmas wasn't as bad as I had expected. My son, who is usually a terror over at his aunts which then sends me into one of my moods, was actually pretty good. When it got overwhelming I just walked into another room until I felt that it was an okay time for me to leave. I always have the excuse of a 1.5 hour drive and the need to get home due to a probably starving puppy at home (the drive is true, the starving dog is not). My aunt understand some though. I explained my dx with her and she knows that when it is time for me to go then I should get out. (Unfortunately she does not understand this when we are having lunch and my son is acting a fool and she tells him it's okay over my telling him no... but that is another post).

When I got home I sat down with my boyfriend and watched Ironman 2 and Toy Story 3. We had a couple of drinks and cuddled on the couch, which is where I wanted to be in the first place.

As for coping strategies, I don't really have any when I am away from my house. I just kind of get up and wander into another room or go and find some food to eat. Possibly check in on my mini-monster and see how things are going.

Coping strategies when I am home and feeling angry or sad or upset are extremely hot showers. They usually make me feel better. I should try the cold water thing for when I am out and feeling overwhelmed. Usually I try to breathe or hold it all in but it only makes things worse when I get home.

[bpd2]

I like the idea of the fun movies--we watch Sherlock Holmes, too--and another Robert Downey film that I think is terrific: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang!

[peejcrafter]

I agree with meditation. It works every time for me. I turn every noise off, phone off, and it calms.

[MDDBPDPTSD]

Cold water is excellent. Controlled, slow breaths, in through your nose & out through your mouth is good too. If you can combine the breathing with mindfulness, even better.

The half-smile thing is recommended too, but I don't have lots of experience with that one.

Cold water works for me, but it can be unpleasent physically.

The controlled breathing is easy to do & it often works, at least for a short time. Adding mindfulness to that is much more difficult for me. My mind tends to wander alot when I am getting anxious & being mindful while that is going on is tough for me.

I am trying to incorporate the half-smile thing, but i don't understand it as well as I should.

Hope some of this helps.

Personally, I plan on hiding out at home for New Year's Eve. Not something I want to celebrate anyway.

[peejcrafter]

Originally Posted by peejcrafter

I agree with meditation. It works every time for me. I turn every noise off, phone off, and it calms.

Being around a crowd is hard for me. Trying to control my environment seems to be the only thing that keeps me feeling lower stress. But that isolates me. So I go out to visit my partner. On and on, one day at a time for me.'

[peejcrafter]

Some things I do to get from big anxiety (and also depression sometimes) to relative calm, if one doesn't work I try something else.

-listen to music
-leave my apartment to listen to someone
-fiddle around repairing jewelry
-pray and listen to Bible passages on the net
-go to church Saturday is something I look forward to so I can calm myself and focus
-watch a cartoon or short comedy
-call my friend (if he answers)
-drink a glass of milk
-take my hamster out and let him explore on my lap, and talk to him
-put on makeup
-have a cig
-cry
-crochet
-write about what's bugging me
-walk
-try to dance the best I can (with music on)
-change the furniture around
-play tunes on the ivories (not great) but it's fun sometimes
-watch the shopping channel because they talk to each other calmly so I feel like there's 2 people quietly having a conversation
(I won't mention poor coping methods like yelling and complaining to myself, eating sweets)

peej

[bpd2]

OMG, you're right about the shopping channel! OMG...

[eskielover]

Oh yes, the shopping channels. When I had a tv & right after I went through the trauma with the home care person & my Mother when she was dying of cancer, I kept the shopping channel on all night...it helped keep the nightmares away.

The only thing that helps me through anxiety attacks are hot showers.....sort of washing all the anxiety down the drain...until just before there is no more hot water left.....then I am ok for most of the time I need to be ok......if I end up feeling ok after that great...otherwise, it's another hot shower when I get home (after the hot water heater has recovered from my last shower).

My other stress reliever when I am home is to read the Bible. The words that help me always find their way into my reading....God is very great at making that happen for me.

When I am out somewhere & it hits.....like the depersonalization thing hits & I can't seem to get myself through it, I usually excuse myself & head home to a nice HOT shower & then crash in bed for a good sleep. I am usually sleep deprived when things like that hit in the first place.

[chicken_wing]

klonopin is my new bff.

[bpd2]

roflo!