Anxiety can not be destroyed, only dealt with.

[DaveF]

For me, anxiety inflicts a sense of absolute isolation when it hits. All rational thought goes out the window. It can only be described as a truly awful feeling.
These are the extreme times. Anxiety seems also to be able to creep up, and quietly linger, without me being aware of it's presence until much later. It can ruin occasions that should be enjoyable, and can make day to day unpleasantness absolutely unbearable. It's ridiculous, and I'm determined to deal with it. In the past few years, diaphragmatic breathing has been a god send to me, as has the discovery of mindfulness based meditation and CBT techniques (learned from books mostly). I'd be interested to see what other people have to say about these topics.

The only thing I can say for certain is that anxiety is something that can never be destroyed completely, but it can be dealt with. For me anyway. And all the claims on the internet to "remove anxiety FAST" are a contradiction in terms. It should be dealt with nice and slowly, as the tortoise said to the hare.

That's what I think anyway. What I don't know could fill a warehouse. I'm moving to a new city soon, and starting my first "proper" job. I'm absolutely terrified.
The anxiety is there bubbling up from beneath me. I can feel it creeping up. I'm determined not to let it over power me anymore though.

[alankay]

Yep, anxiety can't be destroyed as all humans feel fear. It's a matter of how much, when, why and if it's enough to cause phobic avoidance or interrupt you life and/or work(i.e., it's effect on you).
You are feeling anticipatory anxiety which can be as bad as the dreaded event itself. Learn this well and factor it in before not doing anything that makes you anxious ahead of time(that is, try to ignore it or use it to motivate you to prepare). Alankay

[SunnieDebris]

Dave,

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. It seems like you know your way around CBT, but have you seen a therapist? Perhaps your "proper job" will have health insurance, and you can go then. I use and suggest Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. Basically, you learn a bunch of skills, and then you use them and find out what does and doesn't work for you. It's not for everyone, and there is work involved, but it's what has helped me the most. You might also want to journal your feelings and thoughts. Sometimes our brains will stop sending the "alert" messages if you get your fears down on paper. Let us know how you're doing. Where's the new job?

Sunnie

[MindlessMumblings]

I completely agree with you. Whenever my anxiety seems to be under control - It's always there, bubbling under the surface. All these 'placebos' they never work because I know that they're placebos and I'm a bit sceptical about all these breathing techniques and the like. I have found that inhaling through my nose for a count of three, holding it for a count of three, exhaling through my mouth on a count of three helps with the physical side of anxiety. About the job, it is perfectly understandable that you're scared, I would be terrified as well. Just try and tell yourself that it'll be fine, you got the job for a reason! Good luck with your job!

[Sedigive]

Dave, I could have written this myself!! I agree.