I'M BACK! Listen, guys. Vacation is a MUST. We didn't go anywhere, and it. was. glorious. I had the best time ever sitting on my couch, watching The West Wing, and playing with my nephew, whose current obsessions include the handle to their balcony door, drinking water out of a glass, and eating my yogurt so … Continue reading Updated toolkit
Coping Techniques
The matrices of anxiety: how to predict it and what to do about it
I have to start this by saying that I went to one of the best shows ever last weekend: it was called Boy Band Review and it's exactly what it sounds like. Dudes on stage singing all of your favorite *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Boys II Men hits, and then some. And there were dance … Continue reading The matrices of anxiety: how to predict it and what to do about it
Expectation vs. Reality
The thing that has always been hardest for me in terms of anxiety - and life in general, if I'm honest - is managing my expectations. I am terrible at this. I've been working on it for years, and though I'm better than I used to be, I struggle with it daily. It doesn't help … Continue reading Expectation vs. Reality
Anxiously angry, and other emotions
One of the things I've had a lot of trouble understanding and articulating is how anxiety sparks other emotions. I've written before about the different types of anxiety I experience, but to be honest, each time it's a little different. Always at the root, though, is the anxiety. It's not an excuse for my fear … Continue reading Anxiously angry, and other emotions
Still, after all this time
You know what really gets to me? How after years of therapy and all the rest, anxiety still gets to be like Nope, I'm in charge now and do whatever the fuck it wants until I calm down. I went to bed early last night because, even though I've been going to bed on time, teaching … Continue reading Still, after all this time
How to manage holiday anxiety
Every couple of years, my dad and step-mom get all of their progeny together for Thanksgiving. The first time, we stayed in Tahoe and I remember taking a really long and wonderful walk with my step-mom and sitting in the hot tub under the stars with my niece. The second time, we were in Santa … Continue reading How to manage holiday anxiety
Sad Sunday
Oh guys. Yesterday was a doozy. I started out the day feeling ok, actually. I did all of my normal Sunday morning things: I walked the dog, did the laundry, had my bagel. But as the day went on, I just got more and more blah. I watched Top Gear (a favorite) but it wasn't making … Continue reading Sad Sunday
More on the physical effects of anxiety
So, here's the thing. Anxiety is mad physical. We forget that. Commonly, we talk about the emotional and mental toll that conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder take on us, but those of us in the know have a whole different take on things. I've written about physical symptoms of the different types of anxious days … Continue reading More on the physical effects of anxiety
But, these go to eleven
My mom and I have been talking a lot about my GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) lately, and I kind of love it. I love that she wants to know. It shows me that she doesn't see me as weak or broken or fucked up; she's approaching this the same way she learned how a car … Continue reading But, these go to eleven
Going to California
We've been in San Francisco for a couple of days, and there are some things I've noticed about how anxiety functions when I travel. Sleep matters more than normal. The bed in our room is shoved up against the corner(which is on my side) and the room is only a foot wider than the bed … Continue reading Going to California
it's only fear 