[Zenobia]

I am being followed around again by this guy who doesn't exist. When my anxiety level starts to get high, he shows up. He stays outside the house waiting for me to go somewhere then follows me in his car. He comes into the stores behind me and waits for me on the benches outside work. He doesn't scare me but I know what he means. I need to do something to lower my anxiety level until he goes away then I will be ok. If I don't do something about it bad things happen and he becomes sad and frustrated because he couldn't protect me. I don't want him to be sad because I like him, he tries so hard to watch over me.

In two weeks I will be leaving on a trip to Tucson to go to the Gem Show with my boss and two co-workers. I am scared to death. I am going to be alone with these women for 4 days. I am going to be away from my husband and kids. I am going to be away from my home and the things I know that comfort me. Please Please Please give me some ideas of how to cope with these stressers.
Carrie

<font color=blue>I'm not crazy, just a little unwell, I know right now you can't tell but stick around awhile, and you will see, another side of me.--Damn song keeps running through my head driving me nuts. Tell me who sings it so I can get the CD and exorcise the beast!!

[heatherm]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{Carrie}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

There was a post a while back that listed some wonderful ways of coping with anxiety....
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://forums.grohol.com/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=anxiety&keyword=anxiety&Number=28877&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=>http://forums.grohol.com/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=anxiety&keyword=anxiety&Number=28877&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=</A>

I know you will do well......you are very strong and have such a great head on your shoulders. Look at this opportunity to read a great book....enjoy some solitude for just you.....and also get to know your co-workers in a different way. You may be pleasantly surprised .

I am going to be having surgery on Feb 4th (hysterectomy) and am actually looking forward to some "me" time afterwards then as well. I have some books set aside that I am going to make sure I read.

Sometimes with taking care of everyone else we seem to forget about us in the process. Look at this time as a way to get back in touch with yourself.

Above everything else....have some fun!


Heather

[Rapunzel]

Where I run into trouble with this kind of situation is if I run out of things to do. As long as I have a purpose I'm okay. So I try to always have a book with me or knitting or something to do with my hands.

Making sure that you get time alone and/or to call your family is a good suggestion also.

[Zenobia]

Thanks everyone for responding, here is what I got from all of the posts:

1. Feel free to use controlled dissociation but do try to live in present time some of the time.

2. Remeber that they will probably need their own time too so don't be worried about get some for myself. In fact it is a good idea to even plan for those quiet times.

3. Busy hand work is a good way to keep things under control--I had forgotten just how wonderful it is to have a bag with a crochet project in it. Anytime I got anxious I would pull it out and work on it. I think it is time to go to the library and get a pattern to work on.

4. Remember my own inner strength and ability to use my brain to work things out. This too I forget often.

Thanks everyone.

Oh, and Heather, I am totally looking forward to getting my tubes tied for the very same reason. A week off from everything! Oh I can't wait. Hmmm, funny we have to look to surgical procedures to get the time off isn't it?
Carrie