I think you should take several deep breaths. And then several more.

Try to clear your mind and start making a list of what you think you need to do next.

Post it here and we can help.

For example: among the things on a hypothetical list may be, list your current job responsibilities and what kinds of things you are good at

then: list things you might be able to do in the near future with some training and/or time

then: list things you might want to do if you had your druthers

4. update resumé

5. try to look broadly for the kinds of jobs that might interest you

then you can tackle the list in whichever order makes sense or that you have energy for.

Teppy, I will leave the job searching advice to people with actual jobs, but so much calm~ma to you. And if you do find the secret to getting over stress, you'll let me know, right?

Tornado warning has moved on from my area.

Tea: Teppy, also try to remember you're awesome.

You're in a upsetting and tenuous situation, Teppy. It would be highly disconcerting to just about anybody.

Your first step: stop beating yourself up for being upset by this

Seriously, stop picking on my friend Steph. She's got enough goin' on without you gettin' all up in her grill.

The bad news is, job hunting kind of sucks. The good news is, it sucks for everyone. You will do fine.

I am an editor at a business-casual company. I don't have any business suits or other interview-appropriate clothing. I don't even know if people in my field WEAR business suits when they interview.

Even if the company environment is business casual (or even more casual), I think you'll want a good suit for interviewing purposes.

There are plenty of people here who can help you with your resume.

I agree with LeN: before you stress about where to look for a job, take some time to think about if you want to keep doing what you're doing or try to move to something else. I work in communications too, and trust me, our skills are transferrable.

Teppy, having one job for along time actually looks GOOD to HR, because it means you're a stable employee. So that's one thing to strike off your worry list. Once you start looking for work, you can find out what kind of clothes you need and buy one interview outfit if needed. I just did that a couple of months ago and it was relatively painless and now I own a black suit. SO that's two things to strike off.

Job-hunting is not fun, but you have marketable skills and you WILL get a good job.

Also, this might sound kind of stupid, but as I've gotten older, my attitude toward job-hunting has more and more become "You people would be lucky to have me" and less "Oh, god, please hire me please please please."

I truly believe that the more confident you are (or the more you can fake it), the better. Not arrogant asshat, but confident in your skills. You're awesome! You've edited god knows how many articles about a huge variety of things! You're our walking pharmacy!

Tep, I understand, and I totally have your back. You have MAD skillz and 18 years at a company is NOT a liability; in these days, it is a boon for companies who train people and see them flit on to the Next Big Thing on an average of 3 years.

You are eminently employable, and yes, it is MAD scary. But you have this crazy advantage of a community of people which connections and skills who have your back -- you are ahead of the game without lifting a finger.

Strix, I was going to e-mail you later when I have something resembling a game plan, and hire your inimitable skills to update my resume. I'd rather hire a friend, you know?

When I get my head on straight, I'll shoot you an e-mail. Probably not this week, but maybe next.