[Etceteranough]

So this will be my first real post here... Slight personal background, My name is Jamie, I'm 22 years old, and I'm new here. I've tried different sites and forms of help but haven't found one that helps yet so it may take a while for any advice you guys have to sink in. I have issues trusting what people say...

Anyway, for my first topic of many issues that I have, the most annoying right now is my anxiety and panic attacks. I don't really know why they keep happening but it's been happening increasingly so the past couple of weeks. I will randomly feel like crying (which I normally don't cry), my heart races, I get dizzy, shaky, sick to my stomach... just basically terrified out of my mind.

They happen suddenly, hence the term panic "attack". I've tried breathing exercises, sitting quietly, keeping busy, pretty much everything I know how and I can't find anything that helps. The breathing and trying to calm down somehow seem to make me even more panicky. Basically the only way I know to get it to stop is to give in and wear myself out through panic. Eventually I get exhausted and it stops.

I've been diagnosed before (by the kind of people who just throw drugs at you to make you go away) with GAD. That was a few years ago and they just put me on meds, which didn't help nor solve anything. At the time I had really bad social phobia also which they failed to be concerned about and simply "treated" for GAD. So, I went through multiple medications and therapists until I got sick of it all and won't go back to any doctors for it. I need other ways besides medications.

I have fairly bad anxiety all of the time, but I usually feel calm-ish. Unless I'm alone or random moments when the panic sets in for what seems like no reason. So, if anyone here has advice on what to do I'd appreciate it. Again, it may take time for me to listen to suggestions, but I'm ready for this to get better. I've done everything I know how. I'm out of options. Please help?

-Jamie