Or Not Learning to Live With Anxiety

After yesterday's post, I promptly didn't follow my own advice. Today at work I got so sucked into my anxiety that I sent some overwrought emails to a bigwig at the office about a project we're working on together that's causing me stress. And of course now I'm feeling anxious about that!

What most frustrates me about it, is that I knew it was OCD-related. And I couldn't keep myself from reacting rather than even trying to wait it out.

Tomorrow is another day.

Learning to Live with Anxiety

Sunny recently posted a video on her blog from the OCD conference about being reminded that the goal of OCD treatment is not to have less anxiety but to learn to accept anxiety and know that it won't kill us. The lucky side effect being that once you learn that, you are actually likely to see a decrease in anxiety.

It sure isn't easy. I've reached the point where I can recognize my anxiety, and acknowledge it, and I can even sit with it. But it isn't any less uncomfortable for me.

I don't know that it ever actually becomes less unpleasant while it's happening. What's your experience been?

A Great Resource

Have you ever visited BeyondOCD.org? I suspect I have before, but forgot about it. Last week I spent some time looking around the site. The Expert Perspectives link at the top right had some really good articles, and I also was thoroughly inspired by some of the Personal Stories. This is one of the few places I've seen people post that their OCD really isn't a big problem in their life now. I love to read those stories!

Every so often people write to me asking if they can write a post about their product or system or website. Some of them are probably fabulous, but I'm really wary of appearing to endorse something I know nothing about when something as important as mental health is involved. The Beyond OCD site is run by a non-profit and doesn't seem to be selling anything. Take a look if you have a chance.

Oh! I just noticed that Janet Singer from OCDTalk has lots of posts on the site's blog. Which means I've almost certainly been told about this site before. Even more great stuff!

Choices

Last weekend I had either a stomach virus or food poisoning. And while it made sense to stay home over the weekend, I find myself wanting to avoid people now, too. My sister is traveling with her family next week and I have a fear of still being germy and getting them all sick on their trip.

I've confirmed with several people that most people don't think this way that far after an illness (or even two days after an illness). So apparently I should visit my sister this weekend. Ugh, making the right choice isn't fun most of the time!

Heat Wave

We're having a mini-heat wave here in the NW. Nothing like the SW, but it's still hot in the land of limited home air conditioning.

I'm toughing out the neighbor situation. The new neighbors have partly moved in, while the handymen are still fixing up half the house, so basically, chaos reigns. I'm coping all right so far. The heat isn't helping my mental state, but it's best if I view it as an excellent chance to practice not ruminating, rather than a horrible situation. We'll see how that goes as chaos continues along.

Once the heat wave passes, the weather looks delightful for July 4th, and I'm down to 5 weeks left at work!